News

All CEB TUs join forces to fight fresh power tariff hikes

Published

2 years ago

2022/12/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Street protests likely

By Ifham Nizam

All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are to join hands this week to oppose the government move to impose fresh tariff hikes.

Unionists said the government was bent on going ahead with its plan to introduce another tariff hike of 30 percent in January, followed by a 40 percent increase in July in 2023.

CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance Convener, Ranjan Jayalal, told The Island that the Minister of Power and Energy had been expected to present a proposal, on Monday, to increase the tariff. However, he had not done so, probably because of the pressure from the unions, Jayalal said. However, the plan to increase tariffs was on track, he added.

“If the Cabinet approves the proposal, the entire CEB workforce with the backing of the masses will take to the streets opposing the government’s unjust tariff increase, at a time the people are finding it difficult to have a decent meal,” he said.

The trade unionist also mentioned that they were opposing the government decision to restructure the CEB.

The Committee appointed to look into structural reforms has recommended the division of the debt-ridden CEB into 14 companies with a 15th entity to take over any residual functions and activities.

The nine-member committee said that to attract investors into the power and energy sector, the government had to “move away from practices, such as accepting unsolicited proposals towards a procurement framework that is transparent, fair and competitive.”

According to Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera the proposed tariff hike aimed to reduce losses.

The approved tariff hikes were expected to raise some Rs. 500 billion in additional revenue including LECO sales, which represents only a 75-percent increase of profit, compared to the needed 82.4 percent.

A 75 percent tariff hike granted by the Public Utilities Commission, in August 2022, and implemented with effect from October 2022, was not enough to cover costs, and the CEB is still making losses, the CEB officials said.

The Island recently reported that the profit of the CEB, in October 2022, was Rs. 2.84 billion, with expenditure at Rs. 32.98 billion, and revenue at Rs. 35.82 billion.

Tariff increases are expected to cover the past losses due to years of selling power at subsidised rates, inefficient operations, corruption and economic crisis, Power and Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekara, said, adding that a new tariff scheme had been introduced for low income households.

Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programmes related to economic stabilisation, former Power and Energy Minister, Patali Champika Ranawake, who is an electrical engineer by profession, said that the CEB’s submission on reasons behind the tariff hike and costs incurred by them were not acceptable.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

19 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

19 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

21 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.