Connect with us

News

Electricity tariff reduction: 20% inadequate says consumers

Published

on

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

The government’s announcement of a 20% reduction in electricity tariffs has been criticized as inadequate by Sanjeewa Dhammika, Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on Friday, Dhammika argued that the reduction should have been at least 30%, given that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported profits of Rs. 200 billion over the past two years.

Addressing the media following the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka’s (PUCSL) announcement of revised tariffs earlier in the day, Dhammika raised concerns over the process used to determine the reduction. He revealed that the Auditor General had previously sent a letter to the CEB, dated November 30, highlighting inaccuracies in the data provided for tariff adjustments.

“These concerns seem to have been overlooked in the current tariff revision,” Dhammika said.

He further claimed that if the PUCSL had properly analyzed the data, a 30% tariff reduction could have been implemented. Such a move, he suggested, would have not only eased the financial burden on the public but also contributed to the country’s economic recovery.

Dhammika also accused the PUCSL of failing to take legal action against CEB officials responsible for providing incorrect data, despite having the authority to do so. Additionally, he criticized the absence of Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa and Wasantha Samarasinghe, who typically participate in public consultations on tariff adjustments.

“Did they stay away because they saw the possibility of a 30% reduction and wanted to avoid supporting it?” he questioned.

The association called for greater transparency and accountability in tariff adjustments, urging the government to act in the best interest of the public.

Earlier in the day the PUCSL said that higher projected surplus of 44 billion rupees helped for 20 percent reduction electricity tariffs from Jan 17, against a proposal by the CEB to maintain the same price.

The PUCSL has the authority to decide the prices, as per law. The CEB’s request to maintain the same tariffs for the first six months of 2025 comes with its projection of only 2.3 billion rupee surplus in the period.

“But the PUCSL’s assessment showed there could be a 44 billion surplus in the first six months and we decided that the benefit of this surplus should go to the public,” Jayanath Herath, director at the PUCSL’s Communication Unit, told reporters at a media briefing on Friday.



Latest News

Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

on

By

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the  Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

 

Continue Reading

News

“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM

Published

on

By

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.

Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Continue Reading

Latest News

Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

Published

on

By

The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at  Katunayake today (10th December)

The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation  Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”

The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station,  Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and  Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)

The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.

 

Continue Reading

Trending