News
Construction industry warns significant electricity price hike will undermine everything
The tariff hike demanded by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will destroy what remains of the construction industry, Supun Abeysekara, secretary of the National Construction Workers Union (NCWU) told journalists in Colombo on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo, he said that around 700,000 construction workers have lost their jobs in the last two years. However, following the drop in interest rates, there is some activity in the industry. “People have commenced minor constructions and some jobs have returned.
However, the tariff hike requested by the CEB will destroy any chance of recovery for the construction industry. We operate a lot of machines using electricity and in recent times, the price of electricity went up twice. The price dropped again in June 2023 and the price drop helped reduce costs,” he said.
Abeysekara said that there is speculation that the CEB wants the tariff to rise by over 20 percent. If the Public Utilities Commission approves this proposal, the construction industry will be in crisis, he said.
“The government initially said that tariffs will only be changed twice a year. In 2023, this has already happened. People have asked contractors for price estimates and these have been given because prices have stabilized somewhat. However, if the electricity tariff is increased, all these cost estimates will have to be changed. There needs to be some price stability for economic activity,” he said.
Abeysekara said that in 2022 most firms laid off contract-based employees to scale down operations due to the government abandoning large scale projects. However, there was hope for a revival in the last three months of the year as there had been some investments into construction in the tourism sector, he said.
“The State Minister of Highways recently announced that they will recommence some road development activities. So, the industry was gearing up for a revival. However, a significant electricity tariff hike can undermine everything,” he said. (RK)
It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
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