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Electricity Consumers demand immediate distribution of CEB’s Rs 10,975 mn profit

Published

6 months ago

2025/10/26

The reduction in electricity tariffs this quarter is insufficient, and the CEB must immediately distribute Rs. 10,975 million profits it earned over the past three quarters but has yet to return to consumers, the Electricity Consumers’ Association said on Friday (24).

Speaking at a press briefing, Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the amount should be shared among the country’s 4.7 million electricity consumers, with each one receiving Rs. 2,357.

He noted that while the CEB had not increased tariffs this quarter, the Board had recorded a profit of Rs. 25,462 million during the previous three quarters, largely due to earlier tariff hikes. Of that, only Rs. 8,487 million had been passed on to the public through the recent rate adjustment, leaving Rs. 10,975 million still in the Board’s possession.

“These are not our figures,” Dhammika said. “They come directly from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Therefore, we urge the government to ensure that the remaining Rs. 10,975 million is immediately returned to electricity consumers across the country. If distributed equally, each consumer should receive Rs. 2,357.”

He called on the Power and Energy Minister and the President to intervene without delay, reminding that the government had come to power, promising a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs.

“Instead of providing relief, the authorities continue to collect more money from consumers,” Dhammika said. “If the government fails to refund this amount, it must at least pay interest on the excess funds collected from consumers.”

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage ✍️

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Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.

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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

(File pic)

Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).

News

CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

CJ Surasena

‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’

Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.

Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.

‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.

Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.

Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.

Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.

By Shamindra Ferdinando