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UEC wants newly appointed PUCSL to ensure refunding of Rs 25 bn in consumer deposits held by CEB

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/6

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

The newly appointed Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) should look into refunding electricity consumers over Rs. 25 billion of their funds lying with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sanjeewa Dhammika, Secretary of the Union of Electricity Consumers (UEC) told The Island yesterday.

When a person obtained an electricity connection from the CEB, he or she had to place a deposit at the regional CEB engineering office. As per Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 20 of 2009, the CEB had to pay consumers an interest on those deposits, Dhammika said.

Section 28.3 of the Act says ‘(3) Where any sum of money is provided to a distribution licensee by way of security in pursuance of this section, the licensee (CEB) shall pay interest on such sum of money at such rate as may from time to time be fixed by the licensee with the approval of the Commission (PUCSL), for the period in which it remains in the hands of the licensee.’

The UEC Secretary said: “None of the governments has paid this interest, although the PUCSL annually declares the interest rate that has to be paid. Now there is about Rs. 25 billion of our money with the CEB. The previous PUCSL commissioners couldn’t do it; hopefully the new commissioners can look into it and rectify the matter.”

Earlier this week Parliamentary Council approved new members to the PUCSL. Janaka Ratnayake is the new Chairman of the PUCSL while Chathurika Wijesinghe, Mohan Samaranayake, Udeni Wickramasinghe, and Prof. Janaka Ekanayake are the other members of the PUCSL.

With Rs. 25 billion the government could easily construct a 100 megawatt power plant, Dhammika said, adding that the CEB should not be allowed to swindle the Rs. 25 billion that belonged to the electricity consumers.

“The new PUCSL has the blessings of the government. Hopefully they can do more,” he added.

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Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ leaves island

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.

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Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally

Published

19 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

[pic BBC]

The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.

It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.

US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.

Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.

Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.

On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.

[BBC]

News

Auditor General issue acid test for newly constituted CC, says former COPE Chief

Published

19 hours ago

2026/01/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Charitha

SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).

The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.

They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.

The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)

The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.

The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.

Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”

BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.

Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.

by Shamindra Ferdinando