News

Cabinet advanced power tariff revision to Oct. – PUCSL Chairman

Published

3 years ago

2023/10/20

Thilina Walpola

New pricing formula to be announced today

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convener Ananda Palitha yesterday (19) said that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the CEB would announce an increase in power tariffs shortly regardless of a previous decision to restrict the number of electricity revisions to two a year. The CEB implemented revisions in Feb. (61.65% increase) and June (14% decrease) this year.

The trade union is affiliated to the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya. Palitha said power tariffs would be increased in line with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s response to the IMF conditions.

The trade union activist said that the CEB, which first asked for 22% increase in power tariffs on the basis of revenue losses, on Sept. 26, had brought it down to Rs 17 bn when the PUC sought clarification regarding the data submitted by the CEB. “Now, the CEB is asking for a 10 percent increase,” Palitha said, adding that the increase would cause severe pressure on the already struggling economy.

A PUC spokesperson told The Island that the increase would be announced today.

Responding to The Island query, Palitha said that the assurance on two power tariff revisions annually had been given by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera in January.

Claiming that he had obtained the latest official data, Palitha questioned the failure on the part of the CEB to recover unpaid bills amounting to Rs 65 bn. The former UNP trade union leader challenged the CEB to release the names of those who hadn’t paid massive bills but continued to receive uninterrupted services. “Among the culprits are politicians, politically influential persons and major companies,” Palitha said, adding that those who settled their bills religiously with difficulty were being further burdened.

However, PUC Chairman Prof. Manjula Fernando recently declared that the CEB had made two proposals regarding third price revision this year in line with a cabinet decision. Fernando said that though tariff proposals could be submitted in January and July and the next revision scheduled for January next year, the Cabinet advanced the tariff revision to Oct., this year.

Commenting on the submissions received by the PUC on Oct 18, Palitha said that the people had lost faith in the public sector due to the deterioration of state finance as repeatedly underscored by statements issued on the proceedings of parliamentary watchdog committees.

Palitha said that regardless of assurances given since the change of government in July last year absolutely nothing has been done to discipline the CEB which remained one of the most corrupt state institutions. There couldn’t be a better example than the recent Supreme Court directive to CEB to identify and take appropriate action in respect of officials responsible for blocking a solar power project proposed by a private company that had fulfilled all the required conditions.

The three judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Gamini Amarasekera and Dileep Nawaz found fault with the first respondent CEB and the second respondent Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) responsible for their failure to mobilise new generation projects for the production of electricity using the abundant renewable energy resources in the country.

Pointing out that Vavuniya Solar Power (Private) Limited had informed the Supreme Court that it had applied to the SLSEA in 2012 for approval to commission and operate a solar-powered electricity generation plant in Vavuniya, Palitha said that the country paid a very heavy price for the failure on the part of successive governments to reign in the CEB.

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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.

Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.

Latest News

Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.

News

Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.

The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).

Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]