News
Electricity regulator contradicts Minister; tariff reduction certain

…10% to 20% decrease on the cards
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Energy Ministry couldn’t intervene in the electricity tariff revision as the exclusive authority to do so was vested with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) in terms of the relevant Acts, authoritative sources told The Island.
Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s recent declaration in Parliament that tariff revision wouldn’t be implemented for a period of three years had no legal validity, sources said. Minister Jayakody said so in response to a query raised by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.
The PUCSL would make its position on the tariff revision known to the public on Friday (17), sources said, adding that available data indicated that tariffs could be reduced by 10% to 20%.
Earlier, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposed to the PUCSL that tariff revision should be put on hold for six months, beginning January 2025. The PUCSL, appointed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake consists of Prof. K.P. Lalith Chandralal (Chairperson), Piyal Henanayake and Dr. Chathuri Samanmali Fernando.
In terms of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 35 of 2002 and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009, the PUCSL is the regulator, hence its authority couldn’t be challenged by the Minister.
Sources said that the PUCSL considered available data, assessment and information before deciding on tariff revision. The Energy Minister, or the Secretary to that Ministry, could have made representations to the PUC during recent public consultations, sources said, adding that several lawmakers appeared before the Commission recently.
The PUCSL couldn’t be deprived of its authority unless the NPP government amended both Acts, sources said.
Alleging that Minister Jayakody deceived the Parliament with regard to the tariff revision issue, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told The Island that he would raise a privilege issue in the House. The issue here is whether the Minister is conversant with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 35 of 2002 and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009.
The Minister seemed to have ignored the fact that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government, in 2023, began introducing four tariff revisions annually. Before that, tariff revisions were effected twice a year.
The last revision was in July 2024 when the PUC reduced power tariffs by 22.5% against the backdrop of the CEB claiming that the maximum affordable was just 3%.
The CEB has requested that the PUCSL revert to the old system as four revisions a year seemed an unnecessary exercise.
We quoted SJB trade unionist Ananda Palitha in yesterday’s issue (13 January) of The Island that electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 35% as ,contrary to CEB’s claims, the state enterprise earned significant revenue gains, running into billions of Rupees.
Lawmaker Jayasekera pointed out that Minister Jayakody declared in Parliament that the NPP never promised an immediate electricity tariff revision. That declaration was contrary to President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s assurance, in the run up to the presidential election, that one third of the electricity bill would be reduced, along with the fuel price.
However, the electricity tariff revision was to be announced in October 2024, in line with the previous government’s decision to implement four revisions annually, the former Minister said.
Referring to revisions, both increases and reduction in electricity tariffs, sources pointed out that on every occasion, since 2022, the PUCSL had no option but to disagree with the CEB’s false assessments for obvious reasons. The CEB always proposed higher increases and low reductions in line with their overall strategy, sources said, emphasizing the responsibility on the part of the Ministry to engage the PUCSL.
The government must realise that the PUCSL is the economic, technical and safety regulator of the electricity industry, and the designated regulator for petroleum and water services industries as well. The PUCSL also has been assigned as the shadow regulator for the lubricant market in Sri Lanka.
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We are working to stabilize and restructure an economy that was in disarray -President

The National New Paddy Harvesting Festival (Aluth Sahal Mangalya), a traditional annual ceremony of offering the first portion of the freshly harvested Maha season paddy to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, was held this morning (04) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the historic Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Anuradhapura.
The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Services under the theme “In unison, let us cultivate the land, to build a self-sufficient nation” (අහරින් ස්වයංපෝෂිත දැයක් තනන්නට එක මිටට ගොවි බිමට), following the guidance of the Atamasthanadhipathi, the most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera.
This ritual, which dates back to the era of ancient monarchs, saw the participation of farmers from across the country. In accordance with tradition, they prayed for timely rains and fertile fields and invoked blessings for a self-sufficient and prosperous economy through agriculture.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake first paid homage and received blessings from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi before joining the ceremonial proceedings.
The sacred procession, which carried the newly harvested paddy from near the historic Sinha Kanuwa in Anuradhapura, arrived at the sandy courtyard (වැලි මලුව) of the Sri Maha Bodhi, marking the ceremonial commencement of the New Paddy Harvest Festival.
The Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera commenced the ritual by filling the golden bowl with the new paddy, after which representatives from all provinces added paddy from their respective regions, symbolically filling the golden bowl.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake also participated in this ritualistic moment, amidst the chanting of Pirith by the Maha Sangha.
A vessel of pure bee honey, traditionally offered to the Sri Maha Bodhi, was ceremonially presented to the President by Deputy Leader of the Vedda Community U.W. Bandiyala Eththo.
The vessel of ghee, brought from the historic Saman Devalaya in Sabaragamuwa, was also presented to President Anura Kumara Disanayake, to be used in the customary ghee offering at the Sri Maha Bodhi.
The President also received the commemorative plaque of the National New Paddy Harvest Festival and presented tokens of appreciation to farmer leaders who have made significant contributions to the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
As part of the initiative to secure a pest-free harvest, the President participated in the distribution of pest-resistant seed paddy to farming communities across the provinces.
Addressing the subsequent official ceremony, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the current government is working to transform an economy that was in disarray. He noted that the Paddy Marketing Board is burdened with a debt of Rs. 28 billion, while harvested paddy is being left to spoil in storage.
The President emphasized that the current administration has accepted the responsibility of restoring and restructuring this disorderly system. He added that the government expects the support not only of the state machinery related to agriculture but also of all farming communities. He affirmed the intention to integrate Sri Lanka’s cultural and traditional systems to reclaim the legacy of the agricultural economy and thereby strengthen the national economy.
President Disanayake further stated that the country’s ancient kings achieved greatness through their contributions to agriculture and irrigation and that self-sufficiency in food was a critical factor in that success.
He highlighted that sustainable development has become a global discourse today and that Sri Lanka’s “Tank Cascade System” or “Vapi System,” stands as a remarkable example of sustainable development. The country’s irrigation system, which dates back nearly 2,000 years, continues to contribute to the advancement of agriculture even today.
As such, the government has allocated Rs. 2 billion in the current budget to rehabilitate the irrigation system and renovation work on the North Central Maha Ela Project has already commenced to revitalize the country’s agricultural industry. He added that the government also plans to develop seed farms to produce self-sufficient seeds, while protecting genetic ownership.
He further emphasized the need for fair prices for agricultural produce, both for farmers and consumers. Due to long-standing market distortions, the government will intervene over the next two to three harvesting seasons to ensure both parties receive fair prices.
The President also stated that the necessary provisions for such state interventions have been made in the current budget. Steps have been taken to create storage capacity to hold 300,000 metric tons of paddy, which is expected to mitigate market distortions going forward.
Among those present at the occasion were the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya and Chancellor of the Rajarata University, Most Venerable Ithalawetunuwewe Gnanatillake Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Lankaramaya, Most Venerable Ralapanawa Dhammajothi Thera and members of the clergy; Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri; and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, along with a large number of farmer leaders and other dignitaries.
- (PMD)
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Indian PM Modi arrives in Sri Lanka on a three day state visit

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi arrived in the island a short while ago on a three-day state visit.
The Indian Prime Minister was received at the Katunayake International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath.
PM Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary and several senior officials of the Government of India.
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Special Train Services during Sinhala and Tamil New Year

The General Manager of Railways has announced that the following special train services will operate during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.
1. From Colombo Fort to Badulla – departing Colombo Fort at 1930 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
2. From Badulla to Colombo Fort – departing Badulla at 1750 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
3. From Galle to Anuradhapura – departing Galle at 0400 hrs on 12th and 13th April
4. From Anuradhapura to Galle – departing Anuradhapura at 1500 hrs on 12th and 13th April
5. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 120 hrs on 10th, 11th, 15th and 20th April
6. From Galle to Colombo Fort – departing Galle at 0610 hrs on 11th, 12th, 16th and 21st April
7. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 1330 hrs on 12th and 13th April
8. From Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai [Intercity Express] – departing Colombo Fort at 0530 hrs on 11th and 18th April
9. From Kankasanthurai to Colombo Fort [Intercity Express] – departing Kankasanthurai at 1350 hrs on 11th and 18th April
10. From Beliatta to Colombo Fort – departing Beliatta at 0825 hrs on 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th April
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