• PUCSL public consultations begin on electricity tariff revision 

Electricity sector unions have warned that they will further intensify their ongoing union actions if their demands continue to be ignored.

Unions commenced a work-to-rule campaign on 4 September, in protest against what they describe as the arbitrary restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). As a further step in this campaign, union members launched a sick leave protest on Wednesday (17), according to reports. Accordingly, unions confirmed that the union action will continue for a second consecutive day yesterday (18). However, if the authorities continue to disregard their demands, the union actions already underway will be escalated further, said the President of the CEB Technicians’ Union, Kosala Abeysinghe. Electricity unions have been staging a protest against the way in which the authorities are moving forward with the restructuring process of the CEB.

One lane on the road from Kompannavidiya to the Lake House roundabout had been closed due to a protest staged by CEB employees opposite the CEB head office. Accordingly, the movement of traffic along the Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha towards Kompannavidiya had been restricted, the Police stated. Heavy traffic had been reported in the area and the Police had requested motorists to use alternative roads.

Meanwhile, public consultation sessions on the proposed electricity tariff revision commenced yesterday.

The CEB has proposed a 6.8% increase in electricity tariffs for the final quarter of this year, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Accordingly, the PUCSL decided to obtain public opinion on the proposed amendments. The PUCSL stated that the general public can submit their comments and suggestions in writing. To obtain verbal feedback, the PUCSL will conduct nine public consultations covering all nine provinces. Accordingly, public consultation sessions for verbal submissions commenced yesterday. The PUCSL further stated that written comments and suggestions related to the public consultation on the third electricity tariff revision of 2025 can be submitted via the following methods before 7 October, 2025: Electronic mail – info@pucsl.gov.lk; WhatsApp – 0764271030; Facebook – www.facebook.com/pucsl; and by post – the Public Consultation on the Third Electricity Tariff Revision – 2025, the PUCSL, Sixth Floor, Bank of Ceylon Trade Tower, Colombo 3.

PHOTO Venura Chandramalitha