Uninterrupted power supply at higher cost

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

After increasing the electricity tariff by 66%, the state banks gave their approval to get the essential loans and credit facilities to purchase the required fuel, furnace oil, coal, and naptha from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.  

Addressing the media, he said that soon after the decision to increase the electricity tariff, the banks came to an agreement to grant loans and credit facilities.  Beginning this evening, banks will provide the necessary facilities for importing coal, naptha, and other types of fuel required for continual electricity generation. The proposed electricity tariff revision was intended solely to cover the cost of electricity generation, not to provide the CEB with a profit or additional income.  The full result of this tariff revision will come into effect at the end of March or the beginning of April. The cabinet’s approval in this regard was granted to receive a cost-reflective tariff.  Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) General Manager Rohan Seneviratne said the fixed fee charged from 0 to 30 units will be Rs. 400, from 31 to 60 units, this charge will be Rs. 550; and from 61 to 90 units, the fixed charge will increase to Rs. 650.  

The fixed charges for units 91 to 120 and 121 to 181 will go up to Rs 1,500, while the fixed charge for above 180 units will be Rs. 2,000 as per the new amendment.  Further, Minister Wijesekera stated that he is expected to provide relief to low-income people who use less electricity in the future, as per the President’s instructions.  They also said that they are working to provide solar panels for religious and government educational institutions. 

• They are working to provide solar panels for religious and government educational institutions