Decision to conduct inquiry against PUCSL Chairman President requests Parliament to decide

By Yohan Perera  

Whilst stating that the authority for revising electricity tariffs is vested with Power and Energy Minister and the Cabinet, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday requested Parliament to decide whether an inquiry should be conducted against the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission.  

Speaking in Parliament, the President said there is a conflict of interest when it comes to PUCSL. 

“Chairman of the PUCSL owns the leading real estate group Trillium Ltd. There are a number of companies under this group namely Trillium Havelock Residencies, Trillium Negombo Villas. I would have gone against the tariff hike if I owned real estate companies. I have received many complaints against the PUCSL. It is Parliament which has powers to take action against him. Therefore I request the House to discuss about it and decide,” the President said.  

“The authority to revise electricity tariffs is vested with the Power and Energy Minister and the Cabinet as per the Public Utilities Bill and the Electricity Act. No one likes to increase power tariffs but we have to do it. We have to make unpopular decisions for the sake of the country. Sri Lanka is in a crisis today as a result of our failure to make unpopular decisions. We have to find Rs. 400 billion to save the Electricity Board,” he added.   

The President also sought the assistance of the House to save the local banking network. “Banks won’t survive if they can’t acquire the assets of debtors who have defaulted. We need the support of the Public Finance Committee for this purpose,” he said.  

The President said he will.make arrangements at least for the MPs who are members of the Executive Council to meet IMF, ADB and World Bank officials and discuss Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.