- Omalpe Sobitha Thera says if Govt. does not heed public “aragalaya” will return
Prior to the Cabinet of Ministers approving the proposed electricity tariff increase last evening(9), the Electricity Consumers’ Association, together with Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera and other religious leaders representing multiple faiths, handed over a public petition with over 150,000 signatures in objection to it to Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake last morning.
Following the handover of the public petition, Ven. Sobitha Thera told Ratnayake that in a backdrop where the cost of living is unbearably high, it is unjust to further increase the electricity tariffs and therefore requested the latter to refrain from permitting an increase in electricity tariffs.
“We are handing over the public's request to you. The move by the Government to increase electricity tariffs is a move to push people further into poverty and to exacerbate their troubles. Please be sensitive to the people’s woes and do not permit this. The people are with you,” he said.
Speaking to the media, he stated that monks and other religious leaders were involved in this issue due to the people, and added that if the Government does not heed their request to refrain from increasing electricity tariffs, it would only result in an “aragalaya” (people’s struggle).
“On 8 January, we turned off all lights between 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in protest against the proposal to increase electricity tariffs by 75% after an increase back in August 2022. As monks, we cannot stay silent, which is why we arrived here. At a moment when the people are having to battle to survive, an increase in electricity tariffs will disrupt their lives. When the people are suffering, we cannot remain quiet, so we are here for all citizens, without any discrimination against religion. We tell these stubborn rulers to look at the plight of the people and to not harass them any further. Do not tax the people to recover the losses of corruption, theft, and thuggery of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and other State institutions. Today, we engaged in a peaceful march and have made a humble request. If this request is not heeded, the rulers must remember that the next ‘aragalaya’ will be due to this. Without increasing the taxes and obstructing the people’s lives any further, make decisions keeping the people in mind, especially concerning the electricity tariffs. Do not continue to burden the people.”
Meanwhile, speaking to those who had handed over the public petition, as well as the media, Ratnayake noted that he believed that the Cabinet would not approve the increase in electricity tariffs and added that even if the Government permits it, the PUCSL would do everything in its power to ensure that the tariffs are not implemented.
“We have already stated that this proposal is illegal, as the correct data was not used. Because this proposal is incorrect, I believe that the Cabinet will not approve this, but even if they do, we will use our power to prohibit this proposal from moving forward. That is the stand that the PUCSL has taken.
“The issue of the increase in electricity tariffs is not affecting just one sector, but affects everything. Therefore, this is a national issue. It is not fair to arbitrarily increase tariffs. The CEB is not making losses; the inability to manage the monthly revenue of Rs. 35 billion is the issue. I don’t think that in the near future, there is a need to increase electricity tariffs.”
Electricity Consumers’ Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika told The Morning yesterday that the group had proceeded to the PUCSL to hand over the public petition amidst much obstruction from the Police. The public petition launched by the Association seeking the signatures of 6.9 million electricity consumers against a further electricity tariff increase commenced from Matara and Galle on 1 January, through which over 10,000 signatures were obtained. The Association hopes to collect the expected 6.9 million signatures within the course of this month.