- CPC JSS Secy Ananda Palitha says ‘significant’ hike proposed
- Group of consumers call for revocation
A protest was staged outside the Ministry of Power and Energy last morning (19) by the Electricity Consumers’ Association against a Cabinet paper being submitted to the Cabinet for an increase in the electricity tariffs during which they called for the said paper to be revoked.
Speaking to the media during the protest, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha alleged that the Cabinet paper proposed a significant increase in tariffs.
“Today, CPC trade unionists and other trade unionists representing various sectors have gathered in front of the Ministry to show our opposition against the Cabinet paper being submitted to the Cabinet for the increase in electricity tariffs. The tariff for the consumption of one-30 units will be increased by Rs. 50; 31-60 units being increased to Rs. 55; 61-90 units being increased to Rs. 60; 91-120 units being raised to Rs. 65, and beyond 120 units to be increased by Rs. 70-80.”
Electricity Users’ Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika called for the ministers to refrain from passing the said Cabinet paper.
“We ask that this tariff increase be immediately revoked. We ask Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera as to why he is intent on increasing tariffs. Last few months profits have been at Rs. 7 million. We ask the other ministers to refrain from approving this paper.”
Addressing Parliament in recent weeks, Wijesekera and President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for the increase in electricity tariffs. Stating that the cost of power generation would be increased in 2023 owing to the low rainfall, the Minister stressed on the need to increase electricity tariffs without which the public will have to face a minimum of six-hour power cuts. The President also revealed in Parliament recently that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had incurred losses amounting to around Rs. 300 billion since 2013, and further stated that in the event Sri Lanka, as predicted, faces a drought next year (2023), an additional Rs. 420 billion would be required, and therefore, called for the need to increase electricity tariffs. Meanwhile, the President, the Ministry of Power and Energy and the CEB are pushing for a tariff hike, while the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka is vetoing the move.