• Claim knock-on impact on materials – cement/paint – prices, HV equipment operational charges 

The National Construction Employees’ Society (NCES) expressed opposition to the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) request to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to allow a 6.8% electricity tariff increase.

Addressing the media yesterday (6), NCES Secretary Supun Abeysekara said: “This is an unfair (tariff) increase request. We oppose this move. There is no reason in the current context to increase electricity tariffs. When it comes to hydropower, there is no shortage of water as there has been no decrease in the rainfall in the recent past. At the same time, even the price of a unit of solar power has been reduced. The fuel price has also not increased recently.”

He explained that a 6.8% electricity tariff increase would translate into a considerable amount for those running businesses, including in the construction sector, as opposed to ordinary electricity consumers. Abeysekara added that such an increase would result in several types of price hikes within the construction sector, especially for materials such as cement and paint, and would also lead to higher electricity costs for high-voltage (HV) equipment used in the construction sector. This, he noted, would compel construction companies to increase their charges.

Hence, Abeysekara requested the PUCSL not to grant approval for the CEB’s request.