The Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed that it is unfortunate that the groups representing the Parliamentary Opposition are following a silent policy regarding the proposed increase in electricity tariffs.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, the ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said: “The proposal to raise the electricity tariffs has been forwarded to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). We know that the Parliamentarians or other parties representing the Government will not oppose it. However, if the Opposition stands for the people, they should raise their voice against this illegal programme of the Government. We don’t see the Opposition taking any steps regarding the preparations to increase the electricity tariffs.”
He said that a number of parties, including religious leaders and civil organisations, are against the revision of electricity tariffs, but that if the support of groups representing the Parliament is also received, they could make a more tangible impact. He also said that there is still time for all the groups representing the Opposition to get into a strict action against the repeated and unjustified hikes in the electricity tariffs.
Dhammika also commented on the public consultation conducted by the ECA regarding the proposed electricity tariff revision. “A large number of people participated in the public consultation session representing various parties. All of them are against this unfair attempt of the Government. We will continue to meet the people. Arrangements have already been made to hold two public consultation sessions in Ratnapura tomorrow (12) and in Embilipitiya on 16 October.”
In a recent letter addressed to the PUCSL Director General, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had stated that it had proposed a 3.15% reduction in the electricity tariff for the period from July to December 2023, but that the PUCSL had reduced the tariff by about 14.2%, thereby curtailing a considerable amount of the allowed expenditure (approximately Rs. 33 billion) for the operations of the CEB for 2023. Therefore, the CEB had requested the PUCSL to take appropriate actions, impliedly the approval of a tariff hike. The PUCSL had then called for suggestions and comments from the public in that regard until 18 October.