News
Printed electricity bills made mandatory
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
The Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) directed the CEB to issue printed electricity bills to consumers who request them, following numerous complaints raised by consumers and the Electricity Consumers’ Association.
Sanjeewa Dhammika, General Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association, said the condition had been imposed after repeated appeals to the PUCSL on behalf of consumers. He highlighted the challenges faced by many due to the lack of printed monthly bills, with the CEB relying solely on SMS or e-billing in recent months.
“Consumers without smartphones, those with inactive phones, or those whose payment records were not properly updated in the system often missed these notifications, leading to electricity disconnections,” Dhammika explained. He added that rural residents, in particular, struggled to have their services restored efficiently when phones were damaged or malfunctioned.
Dhammika also alleged that during the period when printed bills were not issued, the CEB earned over Rs. 350 million in additional monthly profits, a benefit he claimed was not passed on to consumers
In response to these concerns, the PUCSL has now mandated that printed bills must be provided to all consumers during the next billing revision. Furthermore, SMS or e-billing services are to be offered only to consumers who submit a written request for such options, Dhammika said.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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