SL electricity tariff equals Singapore; tariff increased to maintain diesel mafia

• Says the high electricity tariff has affected local factories

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

The Sri Lankan government has equalled Singapore in terms of electricity tariff increases, and the electricity tariff was increased to maintain the diesel mafia, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

Addressing the media, he said the same unit of electricity charges used to be acquired for the factories in Singapore is being acquired in Sri Lanka.
“With the huge price increase, it has affected the local factories. Hence, the manufacturing cost of goods has increased. The government claimed that there is a lack of exports and a shortage of dollars due to that,” he said.

“It is questionable how locally manufactured goods can compete in the international market with the increase in electricity prices. Due to that, the remaining exports have collapsed. There is a huge economic downfall in the international market. Therefore, everyone is seeking cheap goods rather than goods with better quality,” he said.

Due to the high electricity tariff, the price of local products is higher than in other countries. Therefore, MP Gammanpila predicted that there would be a continuous collapse in the local export economy, and the responsibility for that should be borne by the government.
He said the electricity tariff was increased to maintain the diesel mafia and to maintain the frauds by higher government officials to lower officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

“Generating electricity using diesel has become an opportunity to receive commissions for all those involved. Rs. 60 had been paid as manufacturing costs for the diesel mafias to generate one unit of electricity, and finally, the cost is used to put innocent people at risk,” he said.

No action has been taken so far to generate electricity using solar power, as mafia personnel cannot get their commissions, the MP said.           

• Due to the high electricity tariff, the price of local products is higher than in other countries
• Generating electricity using diesel has become an opportunity to receive commissions for all those involved