News
CEB seeks approval for another power tariff hike, alleges Electricity Consumers’ Association
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association, Sanjeewa Dhammika, yesterday (04) alleged that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has sought the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to increase the electricity tariff again so that the CEB can increase the annual revenue by 33 billion rupees.
The CEB has already handed over this proposal, in writing, he said.
“CEB General Manager Eng. Rohan Seneviratne has signed the proposal. Copies have also been sent to the secretaries of the ministries of Finance, and Power and Energy and all members of the PUCSL,” Dhammika said addressing a press conference in Colombo.
He said that the CEB increased tariffs twice in recent times and that the Minister of Power and Energy, his secretary, and the CEB General Manager insisted that there would be no tariff hikes in the near future.
“The CEB is trying to show that they are still making a 33 billion rupee loss. When we study the CEB proposal it is obvious that they want to make money for emergency power purchases. The CEB has proposed to purchase 550 gigawatt hours of emergency power from July to December. The CEB has estimated that this will cost them 20 billion rupees. The CEB wants to charge this from the consumers,” he said.
Dhammika added that according to the Electricity Act CEB can amend tariffs only twice a year. He added that tariffs have been amended twice this year and another hike is against the law.
“We urge the PUCSL to quash this request. However, if the PUCSL approves this illegal request, we will take legal action,” he said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
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