News
Ratnayake vows to keep fighting
PUCSL Chairman’s office sealed
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake yesterday told the media that he would continue to be the head of the Commission.Addressing journalists from Australia, Ratnayake said he could remain in that position for 20 more months.
“Either a majority of MPs have to decide that I must resign. Or, they should find me guilty of a violation following an investigation,” he said.
Ratnayake said that some of the newly appointed members of the Commission had decided to approve the Cabinet approved CEB tariff proposal while he was not in the country.
“I came to Australia on 12 February and the GM went to the US on an official visit.
We appointed a director at the PUCSL to be Acting GM. At this point, some members of the commission decided to approve the CEB tariff plan. Then they called PUCSL officials to the Presidential Secretariat and asked them to place their signature on a letter addressed to the CEB, authorising the tariff hike. Politicians too were there. Officials had no option but to sign,” he said.
Ratnayake’s office at the PUCSL had been sealed yesterday by the police.
The PUCSL chairman also criticised the CEB’s decision to increase tariffs of people who consumed less than 90 units of electricity. Sri Lanka produced electricity from hydro power at around four rupees per unit and the profit made from these units must benefit the low income households, he said.
“In 2008, the CEB did something similar and the Supreme Court quashed it. The subsidies given to each segment should be decided by the PUCSL, not the CEB. About five million customers consume less than 90 units. How can they pay?” he asked.
Ratnayake added that in parallel to the increase in tariffs, the demand would drop, and the CEB would not be able to achieve its revenue targets, he said.
“We used to think that the demand for electricity was not elastic. However, after we increased tariffs in August 2022, there was a 12% drop in the demand. The CEB aims to make an additional Rs 267 billion from the tariff hike. In August 2022, the CEB made an additional Rs 180 billion rupees with the tariff hike. With these two hikes, the CEB is expected to around Rs 450 billion a year. This is about 1.2 billion US dollars. Now, the annual income of CEB will be about 700 billion. However, the question is whether the CEB has competent finance officers to mange its financial resources?” Ratnayake asked.
Latest News
Landslide Earyly Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
Latest News
Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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