SL rejects US request for talks on electricity tariffs

12 April 2013 12:45 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 57 Bookmark

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The government has rejected a request by the US embassy in Colombo for a special discussion with senior officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) with regard to the proposed revision of electricity tariffs, informed sources revealed.

It was reported that Ms. Allison V. Areias-Vogel, the Economic and Commercial Affairs Chief of the US Embassy in Colombo had written to the chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board W B Ganegala and requested permission to discuss the matter with him. The Chief had also said she was anxious to discuss with Nihal Wickramasuriya, the general manager of the CEB matters pertaining to the refusal of the Petroleum Corporation to continue to issue fuel to the CEB on a deferred payment basis.

The chairman of the CEB had felt that this request was an interference in the internal matters of the government and sought instructions from his seniors, sources said.

The government had rejected the request and stated categorically that the proposed increase in electricity tariffs and issues confronting the Petroleum Corporation and the CEB were purely domestic matters and that the US embassy had no mandate to interfere in them.(Ranjith Ananda Jayasinghe)

Comments - 57

Ghouth Friday, 12 April 2013 07:51 AM

Government should have discussed with them and see what they propose..We are always ready to get anything free from US and others so why not discuss a good mechanism in pricing electricity tariff for our own good?? This is government's ego and response for the US sponsored resolution..

18 11

Saradial Friday, 12 April 2013 05:12 AM

I think they are want to discuss about discount!

23 43

Saradial Friday, 12 April 2013 05:15 AM

May be they are expecting discount.

11 17

unchikun Friday, 12 April 2013 06:27 AM

No one is above the law in the US.

21 19

suresh Friday, 12 April 2013 06:37 AM

Can see who is the Meeharaka here

14 40

Lokaya Friday, 12 April 2013 06:57 AM

The requests should come through proper diplomatic chanels and not directly to the Chairman of CEB. Further a hike in electricity could effect their image locally as the embargo on Iranian oil has also pushed the prices up.

1 21

ramesi Friday, 12 April 2013 07:02 AM

what about the farrier and lamboginis

15 13

kumar Friday, 12 April 2013 07:08 AM

No . it should be China and Pakistan

7 16

Nishantha Friday, 12 April 2013 07:08 AM

If you want to see Meeharak, look into a mirror....

20 48

Punchi Banda Friday, 12 April 2013 07:09 AM

Yankees love to poke there dirty finger at every thing. That is what they have been doing all over the world. You have heard the phrase 'Yankee go Home" . Now you know why?

7 18

Truth Friday, 12 April 2013 07:29 AM

Ammy
we are just fed up of with american politicians who twist things around to bully other small countries to obtain their cheap political interests.
other than that Americans are okay.I'm working with american ppl.

3 23

Jackmart Friday, 12 April 2013 07:34 AM

There appears to be much more than what has been revealed in the news or misundestanding of the whole issue. US Embassy otherwise would not have stepped into the CEB affairs.

33 98

raj Friday, 12 April 2013 07:41 AM

And also stop all exports of our garments to the US, close all garment factories. The US can buy the garments from Bangladesh, Vietnam etc

10 39

raj Friday, 12 April 2013 07:44 AM

Tell me which country hasn't done that?

22 10

Thilanga Friday, 12 April 2013 07:44 AM

Tribesmen don't know what a dialogue means.

11 19

YR Friday, 12 April 2013 05:13 AM

USA has got electrocuted, our govt also needs to look into all the thamashas to bring the COL down. If CPC & CEB is privatise just like Telecom, it wil show unpresidented profits. Same must go to both public bank BOC & PB, both cash cow institute only on paper. All the croonies take loans from these two banks. Take a cue from Commercial & HNB bank.

9 16

Thilanga Friday, 12 April 2013 07:51 AM

According to classified information reached to me, they are already struggling to pay their electricity bill and in the verge of the service being disconnected. Purpose of the requested meeting was to discuss a deal: moving the embassy to Hambanthota in exchange of electricity concessions.
On the other hand, it will be a relief for the people there. What a joke that they have to come to Colombo to get visa when they can easily jump onto a daily US flight from their backyard?

7 11

Don Juan Friday, 12 April 2013 09:24 AM

Don, We can see who is Meeharaka.

7 24

Rohan Friday, 12 April 2013 09:27 AM

Good decision by the SL authorities. US are jealous that China and India taking part in SL development activities without seeking the help of bankrupt USA. The high level staff in US embassy should learn that everyone in developing countries are not stupid. You may use your proxy at some times at some places but not all the time and all countries in the world. You will have a real struggle just to survive yourselves in the next 50 years.

15 17

Niwas Friday, 12 April 2013 10:14 AM

Who knows whether "Sahodara Samagama" secretly sold Sri Lanka to Obama?

14 17

Reader Friday, 12 April 2013 04:39 PM

Check the authenticity of the statements made by the SL Govt. People have lost faith in what they say.

8 4

Sinhaya Friday, 12 April 2013 04:50 PM

How U.S is going to help us with CEB price increase when they banned cheap Iranian oil purchases by Sri Lanka. Who is U.S to put their nose in to internal affairs of a soverign nation. Those people really have a problem.

2 14

fefe Saturday, 13 April 2013 02:09 AM

White men controlled Sri Lanka very well. Look what they did to Hong Kong?

Wish Sri Lanka is still controlled by British. Then we don't have to worry about Mervin and his son... etc....

Law will prevail......Sri Lanka's will be happy.....

4 4

Lionel Fernando MD Saturday, 13 April 2013 02:48 AM

I cannot find fault with Sri Lankan authorities declining the US embassy interference. Because there are many other burning issues in SL, especially related to LTTE terrorism. Many a human rights violation brought upon on Tamils themselves. Examples: using child soldiers, suicide/homicide bombers stands, way up in the list. UNHRC bridled by UNCLE SAM is rather deaf and blind about many other similar events. I think controlling the world oil market by the USA and their allies, very likely contributed to price hikes in electricity and many other commodities used by the common man. When in comes to earning money many people are still naive about the double standards of the West.
Right now is an ongoing geopolitical war, the ultimate quest is for the oil supplies of the world. There are no limits to the low levels, the West could cow down to achieve their goals. The themes of Western interests in Sri Lanka has one goal that is demobilize the present government in power.

3 4

Nodrog Saturday, 13 April 2013 03:16 AM

Then how come Guantanamo victims cannot seek justice in US courts for torture?

0 7

Jayasena Saturday, 13 April 2013 04:03 AM

Look like this is another hoaxe or USA genuinely wanted to subsidize the electricity fare hike since Iranian oil embargo . Gov officers and politician are not smart enough to understand very basic things. USA is true friend of Sri Lanka .

1 2

ralahamy Saturday, 13 April 2013 04:22 AM

Can the US speak to the govt. about the high price of Potatoes and Bandakka? They are very expensive during this New year season.

1 4

moda pissa Saturday, 13 April 2013 05:00 PM

Has our country become an American colony without our knowledge ?

2 1

Andrew 1 Sunday, 14 April 2013 03:45 PM

Hay, don't misunderstand! USA want a discount as they have no money to pay for the new revised electricity bill for the Embassy.

0 1

Aja Friday, 12 April 2013 04:25 AM

go check yr head y fool.

11 45

KD Friday, 12 April 2013 02:30 AM

Might be an excuse to get the racist bigots in the govt (ie. patali and co) into the embassy again and give them some more incentives to continue division in our society so they can sell more arms and keep us poor bastards under their control. Otherwise where were the US embassy poking their 2 cents when the bombs were going off killing innocent people? Even recently when Muslims are a target, was there any noise? Electricity price is suddenly a matter of grave concern the all mighty US Embassy has to intervene ? My foot and a half!

67 77

OMG Friday, 12 April 2013 02:35 AM

Exactly when BBS is visiting USA.

22 80

banda Friday, 12 April 2013 02:43 AM

US embassy's subsidized electricity bill getting affected?

16 94

Ism Friday, 12 April 2013 02:44 AM

Send all American back,, and close the embassy and tell them that we have India and china,, leave us alone America pls. Send all from there.

134 44

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 12 April 2013 02:47 AM

I just can't understand what's happening.

11 43

Asoka Friday, 12 April 2013 02:52 AM

Why USA interfearing? Now Republican Party wants to impreach first Black and converted muslim President of of America declared war aganist Libya without taking approval from the USA senate.

28 50

RoshanPerera Friday, 12 April 2013 03:02 AM

That's very good. Even though increasing the electricity bill is a burden for all of us and bad, USA doesn't have a right to tell us what needs to be done. Soon they will try to tell us to eat something else of rice because they think that's what we should do.

35 83

roshan Friday, 12 April 2013 04:01 AM

May be they wanted to offer help. Our pride does not allow us to allow such help. Why not we become humble enough to learn from any one? If it is ill-advise we always can leave it. Why refuse without knowing what it is?

35 37

M. Ramzi Friday, 12 April 2013 04:05 AM

Talking on reducing of electricity bill everyone will like, but talking with America no one will like… Is it a Gugly to camouflage the subject?

5 31

Ranjith Silva Friday, 12 April 2013 04:09 AM

There are limits and mandates of these helps. Duetches, Portuguese and English people have helped us lot . Enough is enough. Let them control Guns in USA societies than trying to help others..

99 168

Lanke Banda Friday, 12 April 2013 04:09 AM

Never ever believed US was all Nuts until now.

5 35

Lankan Friday, 12 April 2013 04:12 AM

Well, I'm not in favor with many government polices, however USA has never offered help to any country without a twisted plan behind.

7 46

John Friday, 12 April 2013 04:17 AM

Not all, but a handfull running the show here...

8 22

don Friday, 12 April 2013 02:28 AM

They're trying to help! We have some Meeharak in high places.

200 246

NPJ Friday, 12 April 2013 04:27 AM

Whatever it is, this is poor diplomacy by government to make this news public.

19 25

Amy Poirier Friday, 12 April 2013 04:28 AM

Happy New Year to all. My wish for all of Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankan is peace, health and happiness.

Not all Americans think that Sri Lanka is not able to take care of THEIR country. I agree 100 percent that this is a Sri Lanka point of business and should be dealt with on their own terms. Stop this madness USA. This is rather insulting actually. ....... Peace

7 47

Abdul Friday, 12 April 2013 04:27 AM

We do not want your help. If necessary we will go back to life using lamps and Bullcarts.

13 38

Kasun Friday, 12 April 2013 04:34 AM

USA has no right to interfere for domestic matters...! But government also should handle these things in a very carefully and in a diplomatic manner... Dont forget USA is still one of our main exporter... Although we blame on US, we dont think and develop strategies to reduce the US dependancy on our economy....!

6 30

Kasun Friday, 12 April 2013 04:39 AM

The problem is how genuine this support is...? They have hidden agendas in every support activities...! I respect the decision, but such decisions will have to be taken in a very careful manner...

36 113

gtc Friday, 12 April 2013 04:40 AM

Clearly the US Embassy has made such a request to discuss this issue which will have major financial consequences in Sri Lanka to assist Sri Lanka and simultaneously enhance the image of the US locally. There is nothing lost in listening to what they wish to discuss and carry on a constructive dialog with them. Dialog and a positive interactive process must never be rejected out of hand, without due consideration. I love Sri Lanka.

17 21

Suq Madique Friday, 12 April 2013 04:50 AM

This woman is overstepping her mandate. Part of the increase in rates is because of the US embargo on buying Iranian oil.

40 146

lkboy Friday, 12 April 2013 04:53 AM

who knows, may be the US embassy is willing to pay our bills?

9 26

gtc Friday, 12 April 2013 04:54 AM

Rejecting a dialog with anyone let alone a world power such as the US is, does not seem logical. Especially in this day and age when dialog and negotiation is the accepted way of moving forward, in even a complex situation.

20 30

Rath Friday, 12 April 2013 04:58 AM

Nice idea!!! Send all American back and send yours child also to study in America!!

13 64

Timone Friday, 12 April 2013 05:02 AM

Whats the harm in taking a meeting. May be they are only trying to help. You won't know till you meet them.

23 33

willows Friday, 12 April 2013 05:05 AM

USA cannot tell us this??

16 20

Jaya Friday, 12 April 2013 05:11 AM

Think you hit the nail on the head.

10 46

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