A final decision pertaining to revising electricity tariffs is due to be reached at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting scheduled for tomorrow (9) under the patronage of the President.
While the Cabinet Paper in this regard was tabled during last Monday’s meeting, a decision was not reached and postponed in order for Ministers to put forth their views.
It has been proposed to increase the tariff and fixed tariff per unit of electricity.
Accordingly, it is reported that the current minimum fee of Rs.8 for the first 30 units will be increased to Rs.30.
The proposal on the tariff revision has been submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake last week stated that in the event Cabinet approval is granted to the proposed electricity tariff hike, the PUCSL instead of seeking legal action will use its veto power to reject the increase.
He charged that the proposal of a tariff hike was compiled by the CEB Secretary, new General Manager and an Engineer and has been compiled based on inaccurate data.
He also charged that efforts are being made to bypass and misinterpret the Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka Act, and increase electricity tariff.
The PUCSL Chairman noted that under the pretext of formulating general policy guidelines, where such guidelines are issued through the Minister, efforts are being made to revise electricity tariffs.
Janaka Ratnayake said the process of increasing electricity tariffs is clearly detailed in the Act.
Ratnayake stressed that the there is no basis for another electricity tariff hike, four months after the last hike.
