PUCSL refuses to accept tariff hike, says CEB doesn’t incur huge loss

9 January 2023 10:00 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today said that they cannot accept the proposed electricity tariff hike and said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is not incurring a huge loss over the past few years.

While accepting the public petition signed by 6.9 million electricity consumers at his office, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayaka said today that at least Rs. 35 billion goes out of the CEB indirectly and the CEB does not incur losses.

The prime reason for the loss was due to the inability to accurately manage Rs. 35 billion. The ordinary tax policy of the country had been violated when taking the decision to increase the electricity tariff.

When valuing one metric ton of coal, there is a US$90 price difference. "There is an error in this calculation," he said.

As a result, the PUCSL has full authority to reject the cabinet decision and announce that the electricity tariff hike based on incorrect values. "The proposal for the electricity rate revision is an illegal decision taken by the ministry," Rathnayaka added. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 4

Roger Halliday Tuesday, 10 January 2023 05:41 AM

The losses are due to bad management, corruption number of employees. For this the have to suffer. Privatize this and the new management will get rid of the excessive staff and give us a fair price.

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Gunadasa Tuesday, 10 January 2023 10:58 AM

Main reason for the loss is high cost of petroleum products used in power generation. The country is compelled to use expensive oil for power generation as the new coal plant projects have been stopped by politicians due to pressure from various groups. Loss due to bad management, corruption etc are a small percentage of the total turnover

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Sunil Tuesday, 10 January 2023 07:10 AM

My first question is why did the former government appoint a political supporter to be Chairman PUC. A good lawyer or Chartered Accountant with integrity and independence should have been appointed. Janaka is good and understands his role well but this position should not be for a political appointee.

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Buddhist Tuesday, 10 January 2023 05:24 PM

CEB should be divided into various Province Based EB PP Corporations, and then sold as a Private Public Corporation.

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