CEB insists on tariff hikes

Raises concerns on lack of money to import coal

• National Council asks consultation between CEB and PUCSL
• States due to the lack of money even to import coal in the future, there is a risk for longer power cuts

The National Council, a parliamentary body, informs officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to discuss before taking a decision on the implementation of the proposed electricity tariff hikes, a statement from the Parliamentary Media Unit said. The statement said the officials of both sides agreed to meet last afternoon (13) for the purpose of discussing this matter.   

 This was informed when the National Council met yesterday under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.   

The Chairman of the Electricity Board said that if the required percentage is not allowed to be increased in a background where the Electricity Board is demanding a 60% increase in electricity tariffs, it will have to face a serious crisis.   

He said that due to the lack of money even to import coal in the future, there is a risk for longer power cuts. 

 
The officials of the Public Utilities Commission said that arrangements are being made to announce the final decision on the electricity increase on February 15. They also pointed out that the data from the CEB and the views of the relevant stakeholders including the public have been obtained.    Attention was also paid to the fact that the Chairman and the Director General of the Public Utilities Commission are currently abroad. The Secretary of the Public Utilities Commission said that they had gone abroad as planned many months ago and the Chairman and Director General had intervened in all these activities in their full capacity.   

The National Council pointed out that at such time, it is more important to discuss the views of both the Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission and come to a consensus and take a decision whereas in failure to do so would otherwise cause suffering to the people which cannot be avoided.   Furthermore, the chairman to the National Council sub-committee identifying the priorities in formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa informed the National Council of the National Policy Commission to be established. The Prime Minister gave instructions to take steps to get the views and suggestions of MPs after completing the preparation of the concept paper.