News
Decision to increase power tariffs blamed on Treasury
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Cabinet had approved the proposed revision of the existing electricity tariffs because the Treasury was in no position to provide adequate funding for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to continue its operations, Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardane, said yesterday.
Gunawardena said that the Cabinet paper seeking a tariff revision had been submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
“We have been left with no alternative but to revise the existing electricity tariffs to ensure a continuous electricity supply in the country while minimising the impact on electricity consumers, as much as possible,” he said.
The Minister said that the proposal would be sent to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for further study. PUCSL has been instructed to submit any revisions, on or before 15 February 2023.
“Until then, the CEB and the PUCSL will jointly take necessary measures to implement the electricity tariff revision proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board, with effect from 01 January 2023 as an interim measure in accordance with the amendments to the Public Policy Guidelines, currently in force, regarding the Power Industry,” he said.
If the PUCSL has any amendments, the CEB is to take steps to implement those amendments and make the necessary adjustments to future monthly electricity bills.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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