News
PUCSL Chief: Power tariff can be reduced by 27%
Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake yesterday said that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) could reduce electricity tariffs by 27 percent due to a 107-billion-rupee reduction in estimated expenditure
Ratnayake said that the CEB had obtained approval for significant tariff hike in 2022 and 2023 by concealing the correct cost data. “The CEB has been asked to submit correct data and to reduce the electricity tariffs on par with the actual cost reduction.
“The electricity tariff was increased by 66 percent in February based on wrong data. At that time, the tariff should have been increased by only 35 percent. Ahead of the last tariff revision, we pointed out that the electricity demand of 16,550 gigawatts estimated by the CEB was incorrect. Our estimate was that electricity demand this year would be limited to 15,050 gigawatt hours. In April, the CEB admitted that our estimate was correct. Accordingly, it has informed us in writing that the estimated demand for the coming period of the year is 15,264-gigawatt hours,” Ratnayake said.
The PUCSL Chairman said that due to the decrease in electricity demand, the cost of providing electricity should also decrease. The CEB had initially said Rs 392 billion rupees would be required for the period from July to December 2023, Ratnayake said, adding that only Rs 285 billion would be spent for the next six months.
“Given that the cost has dropped by Rs 107 billion , the electricity tariff should be reduced by at least 27 percent for the upcoming period,” he said.
Ratnayake said all revision proposals should be submitted to the PUCSL according to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, which says only the reasonable cost of supplying electricity can be charged from the consumer.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for Aug. 31 the pre-trial conference in the money laundering case filed by the Attorney General against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his great-aunt Daisy Forrest.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
State Counsel Oswald Perera requested court to fix a date for the pre-trial conference and informed the judge that the prosecution would announce its position regarding the second accused, Daisy Forrest, at the conference. He also said the prosecution intended to notify court of amendments to the indictment.
After considering the submissions, Judge Singappuli ordered that the pre-trial conference be held on Aug. 31.
The Attorney General has indicted Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that they deposited nearly Rs. 59 million in bank accounts knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds had been unlawfully acquired.
A few showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Harmer, Markram and Wolvaardt win top honours at CSA awards
War of words erupts between Minister Chandrasekar and Archchuna in North
Cardinal seeks dismissal of Sallay’s petition
Money laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
More illicit hooch found
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