The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has highlighted the importance of appointing a chairman with knowledge and experience in the power and energy sector and who trusts PUCSL members and officials in order to finalise the relevant process so as to implement the proposed electricity tariff revision from 1 July.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), last week, stated that the existing electricity tariffs would have to be continued if the proposed tariff revision is not approved by the PUCSL within due course, whereas the PUCSL is in a situation where it cannot approve the said revision without the presence of a chairperson.
As it is reported that the Constitutional Council is to meet and finalise the appointment of a chairperson to the PUCSL on 26 June, The Daily Morning queried a PUCSL member as to whether the remaining few days would be sufficient for the PUCSL to approve the tariff revision so as to implement it from 1 July, to which he said that a few days would be sufficient for the process only if a person who has knowledge and experience on the subject is appointed as the chairperson.
“We don’t know who is to be appointed as the chairperson. However, if that person is a newcomer to this subject, they may need more time to study the related matters and gain an understanding of the responsibilities. In addition, the chairperson should also be a person who trusts the other PUCSL members and officials. All these matters may affect the time that may be taken for the PUCSL to approve the tariff revision. If the to-be chairperson will take more time to study it, it is clear that an issue will arise regarding the implementation of the tariff revision from 1 July.”
The CEB announced on 24 May that the existing electricity tariffs would be revised with effect from 1 July. Accordingly, the tariffs of the domestic category (first 30 units) would be reduced by a minimum of 23%, religious places by 7-23%, and the hotel category by 29-40%.
However, the position of the PUCSL chairperson still remains vacant following the removal of its former Chairman Janaka Ratnayake through a resolution presented to Parliament in accordance with Section 7 of the PUCSL Act.