• SJB says PUCSL has no right to increase tariff again:Experts claim SL will have highest tariff in SA region   

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to submit the facts and data relating to their request to increase the electricity tariff once again to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), within the course of yesterday (2) or today (3).

The CEB recently made a request from the PUCSL to increase electricity tariffs once again, citing the need to cover the costs for thermal power generation during the months when dry weather conditions were prevalent across the country.

According to CEB sources, the detailed facts in relation to the tariff hike request will be submitted to the PUCSL within these two days since it is a request to increase the tariffs beyond the usual tariff revision procedure. CEB General Manager Engineer Dr. Narendra De Silva said that they have sought an electricity tariff hike this month (in October), which was supposed to be made in January of this year (2023).

However, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake stressed that the PUCSL has no right to permit an electricity tariff hike again.

The Propaganda Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led National People’s Power (JVP/NPP), Opposition MP Vijitha Herath mentioned that if the electricity tariff is revised again, it is inevitable that the people will be in dire straits.

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara stated that institutions like the CEB need to be restricted and made profitable, without inconveniencing the public.

However, the Director General of Trade Unions to the President, Saman Rathnapriya expressed that the Government will take measures to revise the electricity tariffs in a manner that does not inconvenience the people. 

Meanwhile, renowned energy consultant Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya claimed that Sri Lanka will become the country with the highest electricity tariff in the South Asian (SA) region, if the proposed electricity tariff hike comes into effect. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is currently among the top three countries in South Asia with the highest electricity tariff. Furthermore, he emphasised that a new method should be introduced urgently in order to reduce the prices of electricity products.