News
All CEB TUs join forces to fight fresh power tariff hikes
Street protests likely
By Ifham Nizam
All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are to join hands this week to oppose the government move to impose fresh tariff hikes.
Unionists said the government was bent on going ahead with its plan to introduce another tariff hike of 30 percent in January, followed by a 40 percent increase in July in 2023.
CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance Convener, Ranjan Jayalal, told The Island that the Minister of Power and Energy had been expected to present a proposal, on Monday, to increase the tariff. However, he had not done so, probably because of the pressure from the unions, Jayalal said. However, the plan to increase tariffs was on track, he added.
“If the Cabinet approves the proposal, the entire CEB workforce with the backing of the masses will take to the streets opposing the government’s unjust tariff increase, at a time the people are finding it difficult to have a decent meal,” he said.
The trade unionist also mentioned that they were opposing the government decision to restructure the CEB.
The Committee appointed to look into structural reforms has recommended the division of the debt-ridden CEB into 14 companies with a 15th entity to take over any residual functions and activities.
The nine-member committee said that to attract investors into the power and energy sector, the government had to “move away from practices, such as accepting unsolicited proposals towards a procurement framework that is transparent, fair and competitive.”
According to Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera the proposed tariff hike aimed to reduce losses.
The approved tariff hikes were expected to raise some Rs. 500 billion in additional revenue including LECO sales, which represents only a 75-percent increase of profit, compared to the needed 82.4 percent.
A 75 percent tariff hike granted by the Public Utilities Commission, in August 2022, and implemented with effect from October 2022, was not enough to cover costs, and the CEB is still making losses, the CEB officials said.
The Island recently reported that the profit of the CEB, in October 2022, was Rs. 2.84 billion, with expenditure at Rs. 32.98 billion, and revenue at Rs. 35.82 billion.
Tariff increases are expected to cover the past losses due to years of selling power at subsidised rates, inefficient operations, corruption and economic crisis, Power and Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekara, said, adding that a new tariff scheme had been introduced for low income households.
Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programmes related to economic stabilisation, former Power and Energy Minister, Patali Champika Ranawake, who is an electrical engineer by profession, said that the CEB’s submission on reasons behind the tariff hike and costs incurred by them were not acceptable.
Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
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