Final tariff system recommended by PUCSL rejected by three commission members: Chairman

14 February 2023 10:59 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 15 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The final tariff system recommended by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) was approved today by the PUCSL chairman, but it was not approved by the other three members of the commission, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

He said the proposal was submitted for the approval of the commission members this morning.

The final tariff system has been extensively studied and recommended by the Electricity Tariff Division of the Commission, he said.

However, the commission's other three members, Attorney-at-Law Chathurika Wijesinghe (Secretary), Douglas N. Nanayakkara, and S. G. Senarathne, objected to the legal tariff proposal and instead approved the CEB's high tariff system.

Although the CEB's tariff proposal proposed to collect an additional Rs. 288 billion annually from the electricity consumer, the proposal prepared for approval by the Commission limited the tariff increase to 36% and reduced the additional income of the CEB to a reasonable level of Rs. 142 billion.

According to the proposal submitted by the CEB, groups consuming less than 90 units in the domestic sector will face a 250% tariff increase.

The toll system approved by the members to be implemented tomorrow is illegal, and the implementation of the toll system will put the public under severe pressure and have a severe impact on the entire economy.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka is bound by law to protect the rights of electricity consumers in this country.

As the Chairman of the Commission, I express my objection against the Commission's three members approving the electricity tariff increase proposal prepared by the CEB based on unverifiable numerical data.

Rejecting proposals without any consideration or ideas presented by all parties, including the electricity tariff revision, the reasonability of costs, the actual electricity demand, and the power consumers.

The members of the Commission who approved the high electricity tariff proposal presented by the CEB have violated the provisions of the PUCSL Act and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 15

Dee Tuesday, 14 February 2023 11:12 PM

Was the PUCSL proposal to further reduce tariff to condominium users?

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Dilshan Tuesday, 14 February 2023 11:31 PM

CEB should reduce their cost by reducing allowances paid to staff and by reducing staff and improving producvity 9f the staff. Corruption at the Engineers and senior management level is as bad as the Rajapakse family. There was allegations against female GM of CEB sometime back but hushed up If those corrupt officials are investigated loot recovered from them they can bridge the gap for 10 years. Instead, PUSL myers must be getting a cut probably from the corruption of CEB officials are planning the burden to low income group. Common man should get on the road and encircle the thieves in CEB from top to bottom until they gove all the loot back

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Sangeeth Wednesday, 15 February 2023 01:56 AM

How can the PUSL chairman overule the decision of 3 members? Isn't the PUSL supposed to take decisions by majority vote if there is no unanimity?

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Don Wednesday, 15 February 2023 03:00 AM

Janaka.. This is an island no other. The officials are lackies of the government of the day. They do not take logical decisions based on data and fact. This is the curse of this land. There is a section of society follow these corrupt politicians blindly. I think these slaves must suffer more for their sins. Educated and decent people must leave this country and let this island vanished from the earth with rotten politicians.

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Consumer Wednesday, 15 February 2023 08:35 AM

If the majority in the PUCSL are against the Chairman's views, the latter should rightly resign. What about the allegation that the PUCSL has imposed 50% less tariff on certain Residential Apartments ?

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Man Wednesday, 15 February 2023 09:51 AM

It is essential to pour gratitude to the Chairman. He will get the support of the trade unions. Kanchana is not capable other than for commissions. So, we are ready to be in the dark under this hopeless regime of the 75 year history of Sri Lanka.

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PUCSL members finally acting independent of the corrupt one Wednesday, 15 February 2023 01:31 PM

PUCSL chairman builds condominium units for which he had previously approved lower tariffs compared to other residences. He is a known rogue with that, and other acts of nation destruction. Two previous commission members resigned with one indicating the Chairman was showing happiness with the Thugs who threatened them to do Chairman's wishes.

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Vernon Watson Wednesday, 15 February 2023 10:12 AM

The working of PUC is questionable. The electricity tariff system has been extensively studied and recommended by the Electricity Tariff Division has been submitted to the Board by the Board Secretary with the Director General's recommendations. We understood as Chairman in favor and 3 commission members rejected. This paper report should be presented that readers must be able to read and understand the subject.

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Yasith Wednesday, 15 February 2023 10:52 AM

Dear Chairman of PUCSL, we all know the recently appointed members are political henchmen and not independent members at all. So please publish their full names and addresses inorder to get a clear picture of these members. If they agree to tariff hike based on the previliges they receive thats a gross crime committed behalf of 20 million people

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Support for sustainablity Wednesday, 15 February 2023 01:36 PM

The Chairman once had thugs come over to attack two members who have now resigned. The criminal acts are by rich fellows like yourself who for the last decade have looted public entities like the CEB and CPC by forcing loss making sale, and those losses will have to be borne by the next generation. Shame on you to support for Janaka to get unsustainable low prices now, and make disaster happen later.

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Nalin Perera Wednesday, 15 February 2023 12:46 PM

When power cuts are increased wonder how Janaka Ratnayake will intervene on behalf of the vast majority of consumers. It is also totally unfair that residents in Colombo have no power cuts. Same with residents living near military camps. There should be a level playing field.

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When CEB end ultra-low rate tariffs for condominiums Wednesday, 15 February 2023 01:39 PM

Who says the 'Electricity Tariff Division' made any crazy recommendations like what PUCSL chairman says. Even at COPE committee he was found to be a deceiver when three commission members also there disagreed with his viewpoint. Janaka Rathnayake is first and foremost for himself and his family getting rich, and that happens with increased condominium sales, which happen because they much much lower tariffs than other residence types.

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Felix de Mel Wednesday, 15 February 2023 04:12 PM

The people will now react by using less power. Stay in the dark by switching off lights early. That will not generate the expected revenue. How many establishments have their sign boards lit up in the night for no reason. There were no requests for them to switch them off. Damn shame. The airport is already full with people leaving and will see an increase in days to come.

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Ravi Thursday, 16 February 2023 12:42 PM

Restructure and reduce the excess staff, cut down all unproductive staff over time.

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Sunil Thursday, 16 February 2023 03:06 PM

This guy is like a bull in a china shop. He has no knowledge about power generation, transmission and distribution and is also quite ignorant of electricity fair structures.

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