News

CEB seeking tariff hike while making huge profits, says opposition trade union leader

Published

8 months ago

2026/02/17

Ananda Palitha

Convenor of the Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance affiliated with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Ananda Palitha, yesterday (16) said that the Ceylon Electricity Board was seeking to raise electricity tariffs by 13.56% percent although it had earned a profit of more than Rs 22,000 mn.

The CEB recently submitted its proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for an electricity tariff revision for the second quarter of this year – the period effective from April 1 to June 30.

Palitha alleged that the PUCSL, in spite of knowing the massive profit earned by the CEB, at the expense of the hapless public, had chosen to allow the state enterprise to propose an additional burden.

The economic, technical and safety regulator of the electricity industry, and the designated regulator for petroleum and water services industries, should exercise its powers in terms of the PUCSL Act No. 35 of 2002 and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 to provide relief, the veteran trade unionist said.

Palitha emphasised that the PUCSL had the right to intervene on behalf of electricity consumers but, unfortunately, chose to facilitate the CEB’s despicable strategy. “The proposal to increase tariffs by 13.56% was meant to divert attention. The real issue at hand is the percentage of electricity tariff reduction,” Palitha said. The former UNPer found fault with the Opposition for failing to expose the CEB.

Taking into consideration the Rs 22,000 millionplus profit, the PUCSL could order the CEB to grant relief to consumers, Palitha said, adding that the CEB and PUCSL, together, deprived electricity consumers tariff reduction in the first quarter of this year, too.

In January this year, the CEB asked for a 11.59% tariff increase though it was enjoying Rs 22,000 mn profit at that time, the trade unionist said.

Palitha said that as the PUCSL received all data available to the CEB it was fully aware of the finances of the state enterprise.

In January, 2025, regardless of the NPP government floating the idea regarding as much as a 37% tariff increase, the PUCSL granted a 20% tariff reduction (25% of Rs 22,000 mn profit), Palitha said.

According to him, as a result of relief granted to the consumers, the profits had been reduced to Rs 16,000 mn but by June 2025 profits had increased to Rs 18,000 mn and there was a need to grant tariff reduction. But, the NPP, having always lashed out at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the run up to the presidential election, held in September 2024, started playing a different tune.

Responding to The Island queries, Palitha said that contrary to claims that the CEB proposed a 13.56% tariff increase to cover up losses caused by the importation of low-quality coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya coal-fired power plant, the current strategy seemed to have been adopted at the behest of the IMF.

Instead of granting tariff reduction for the third quarter in 2025, the PUCSL ordered an 18% increase, Palitha said. The trade unionist claimed that the Finance Ministry, at the behest of the IMF, directed both the CEB and the PUCSL to increase electricity tariffs by 20% in violation of the relevant Acts, he said.

Then in Oct, 2025, the CEB proposed a 6.8 % tariff increase at a time its profits were around Rs 22,000 mn. The CEB and PUCSL staged a drama over that proposal and finally, on the false pretext of the CEB’s failure to furnish its proposal on time, the revision was dropped, Palitha said. The SJB activist pointed out that the Opposition failed to highlight that consumers had been deprived of downward revision in spite of massive profits earned by the Board. “In fact, when Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody met trade unions, he very clearly declared that they were considering electricity power reduction, perhaps by 10%, 12% or 15%. But in the end nothing happened.”

Now the same drama is being enacted by the government, the CEB and the PUCSL, Palitha said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

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All set for Colombo rally against govt.’s tax policies

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

People’s Struggle Movement’s National Executive Council members Wasantha Mudalige and Jayantha Amarasinghe speaking to the media yesterday

The Frontline Socialist Party-backed People’s Struggle Movement is set to stage a protest march in Colombo today (03) against what it describes as the growing tax burden on the public and the rising cost of living.

The organisers are due to commence the “Colombo March Against Unjust Taxes” at noon from Campbell Park, Borella. The FSP has also been mobilising support for the protest in Colombo and its suburbs in the run-up to the event.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige, speaking at a media briefing in Nugegoda yesterday (02), called on the public to join the protest, saying the movement intended to bring the tax burden faced by ordinary people to the forefront.

Mudalige alleged that successive tax measures had placed an excessive burden on households, particularly through taxes on food and educational items. He also criticised the Government over what he described as the high cost of basic food items and the difficulties faced by parents in meeting their children’s educational expenses.

He accused the Opposition of failing to adequately address the issue, claiming that opposition parties raised such concerns, mainly during election periods.

Mudalige also criticised the Government for what he described as a departure from promises made before the 2024 presidential election regarding taxes on educational equipment.

He questioned the tax burden on food items, citing figures of Rs. 100 per kilogramme on dried sprats, Rs. 310 per kilogramme on chicken and Rs. 11 per egg.

He further alleged that while ordinary people were bearing a heavy tax burden, wealthy groups were receiving tax concessions. He also criticised the Government’s economic programme and its implementation of measures associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The movement has framed today’s protest as part of a broader campaign over the cost of living and taxation. The People’s Struggle Alliance has separately announced that the Campbell Park demonstration will be the first in a series of public actions, with further protests planned in November.

Mudalige said the movement would continue to take the issue to the streets and urged the public to participate in today’s demonstration.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Jayantha Amarasinghe also addressed the press.

News

Yoshitha R money laundering trial postponed

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed the trial in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who is currently out on bail, appearing in court.

The trial was postponed as the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa, alleging that he committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, worth more than Rs. 73 million.

News

Lankan troops test mettle in Russian war games

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/3

Thilina Walpola

Lankan Army troops participating in Exercise ‘Wolverine Path II–2026’ in the Russian Federation

A contingent of the Sri Lanka Army, comprising 20 officers and 55 other ranks, participated in the combined military exercise ‘Wolverine Path II–2026’, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Vladivostok, Russia, from September 18 to 25.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise primarily focused on counter-terrorism operations and provided participating troops with training in a challenging combined operational environment.

The exercise included a range of tactical activities, including heli-rappelling, close-quarters battle (CQB), ambush operations, sniper firing, drone operations, buggy training and combat medical support.

The Ministry said the training enabled Sri Lankan troops to further develop their combat skills, tactical coordination and operational readiness.

It also provided an opportunity for the two militaries to exchange professional knowledge, operational experience and tactical expertise. Sri Lankan personnel gained exposure to training methodologies, tactical approaches and operational practices adopted by the Russian Armed Forces, the Ministry said.

The participation also enabled the Sri Lankan contingent to identify lessons from the joint training and share its own experiences with the Russian military.

The Sri Lankan contingent returned to the country following the exercise and arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on September 28.

The Ministry said participation in the exercise contributed to enhancing the professional knowledge, tactical awareness and operational preparedness of Army personnel while promoting military-to-military cooperation, mutual understanding and professional relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.