News
Electricity tariff reduction: 20% inadequate says consumers

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
The government’s announcement of a 20% reduction in electricity tariffs has been criticized as inadequate by Sanjeewa Dhammika, Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on Friday, Dhammika argued that the reduction should have been at least 30%, given that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported profits of Rs. 200 billion over the past two years.
Addressing the media following the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka’s (PUCSL) announcement of revised tariffs earlier in the day, Dhammika raised concerns over the process used to determine the reduction. He revealed that the Auditor General had previously sent a letter to the CEB, dated November 30, highlighting inaccuracies in the data provided for tariff adjustments.
“These concerns seem to have been overlooked in the current tariff revision,” Dhammika said.
He further claimed that if the PUCSL had properly analyzed the data, a 30% tariff reduction could have been implemented. Such a move, he suggested, would have not only eased the financial burden on the public but also contributed to the country’s economic recovery.
Dhammika also accused the PUCSL of failing to take legal action against CEB officials responsible for providing incorrect data, despite having the authority to do so. Additionally, he criticized the absence of Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa and Wasantha Samarasinghe, who typically participate in public consultations on tariff adjustments.
“Did they stay away because they saw the possibility of a 30% reduction and wanted to avoid supporting it?” he questioned.
The association called for greater transparency and accountability in tariff adjustments, urging the government to act in the best interest of the public.
Earlier in the day the PUCSL said that higher projected surplus of 44 billion rupees helped for 20 percent reduction electricity tariffs from Jan 17, against a proposal by the CEB to maintain the same price.
The PUCSL has the authority to decide the prices, as per law. The CEB’s request to maintain the same tariffs for the first six months of 2025 comes with its projection of only 2.3 billion rupee surplus in the period.
“But the PUCSL’s assessment showed there could be a 44 billion surplus in the first six months and we decided that the benefit of this surplus should go to the public,” Jayanath Herath, director at the PUCSL’s Communication Unit, told reporters at a media briefing on Friday.
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“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President

President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination.
Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
News
French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrives in Port of Colombo

The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
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The Court of Appeal this [17] morning dismissed the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him.
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