The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) urged the Government to establish a mechanism to monitor and regulate price hikes that occur following the increase in electricity bills.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), NCF Leader Asela Sampath said that the price increases made by utility providers and other goods and services are sometimes unreasonable when compared to the actual rise in electricity bills. He also stated that many parties are attempting to make undue profits under the pretext of the electricity bill increase.

Sampath further said that there is currently no proper mechanism to regulate the price increases that follow electricity bill hikes, despite the fact that such calculations should be monitored by the relevant authorities such as the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.

“The price increases following the electricity bill hike – such as those on food, beverages, and other services – are not being properly regulated. For example, if the price of a chilled bottle of water is increased by Rs. 5, the vendor ends up making more profit compared to the actual additional electricity cost that they incur. Many people look at this situation from the perspective of service providers and vendors. But, in the end, it is the consumers who suffer the most. They are affected from every side,” he added.

On 12 June, the PUCSL approved a 15% electricity tariff increase across all consumer categories, with immediate effect, following public consultations and a review of the CEB’s proposal. Many parties, including consumers and service providers, have criticised the decision, claiming that it will further hinder the market recovery following successive crises.