Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says electricity tariffs could increase by 300-400%.
Addressing a media briefing the Minister said tariffs have not been revised in over nine years despite the Ceylon Electricity Board continuously requesting a price revision.
The Energy Minister said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka too tabled certain proposals although no measures had been approved thus far.
The Minister said the matter was discussed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers as well.
The Minister said he is of the opinion that electricity tariffs should be revised for consumers such as hotels, factories, and large households that consume significantly higher units of electricity.
The Minister said he expects to conduct this revision with the approval of the Cabinet and the PUCSL after the provision of a grace period.
The Minister added he does not plan on increasing tariffs of low-income earners and consumers that consume lesser electricity units.
Meanwhile, the Minister said if tariffs were revised, electricity tariffs could see a 300-400% increase for certain hotels, factories, and homes with high electricity consumption.
The Minister advised such institutions to arrange for solar panelling in the coming month adding he expects to do the same at government hospitals, schools, and offices.
Meanwhile, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said they received information pertaining to individuals engaged in hoarding fuel.
Minister Wijesekera said security forces were instructed to conduct operations into the matter based on complaints received from the public.
He said over 50,000 litres of all fuel types were seized during raids carried out while many individuals have also been arrested.
Minister Wijesekera said Policemen at filling stations across the country add vehicle numbers to an application that is updated in real-time allowing Police officers at other filling stations to identify individuals who attempt to pump fuel multiple times a day.
The Minister said the Police was able to stop 1,200 individuals yesterday.
Furthermore, he said the Tri-Forces and Police are conducting a joint operation into those who block roads near filling stations adding it has been observed in most areas that an organised group of individuals are disrupting fuel distribution efforts and the daily activities of the public.
He said investigations have proven that the individuals engaged in such activities are not part of fuel queues adding this has been confirmed by fuel station employees.
The Minister said the goal of these individuals is to create unrest and destabilise the country by inciting anger.
