The bulk of Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) members have actually approved a boost in electricity tariffs by 66% effective from February 15, notwithstanding the objections raised by the commissions chairman Janaka Ratnayake.The electrical energy tariff trek proposal was passed as it was green-lighted by three PUCSL members, with Ratnayake emphatically opposing it.On January 02, the PUCSL got a Cabinet-approved proposal from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), seeking to increase electricity tariffs by 66% in order to secure extra revenue of LKR 287 billion for the utility to prevent losses.However, as the electrical energy tariff trek proposition ended up being embroiled in heated arguments, the PUCSL chairman and its members continuously failed to reach an agreement on the matter.Against this backdrop, 2 PUCSL members stepped down from their positions.
Appropriately, on two celebrations, new members were designated to the commission to fill the uninhabited positions, with whom the commissions chairman took into account the tariff modification propositions yesterday.The electrical energy tariff revision proposal compiled by the PUCSLs tariff department, to generate earnings of LKR 142 billion by increasing the tariffs by 36%, was tabled at the meeting of the commissions members yesterday.Three PUCSL members-- Attorney-at-Law Chathurika Wijesinghe, Douglas Nanayakkara and S.G.
Senaratne-- opposed the proposed tariff modification, in spite of the consent offered by the PUCSL chairman.The trio had, nevertheless, green-lighted the electrical energy tariff trek proposal of the CEB, which looks for to increase the tariffs by an incredible 66%.
PUCSL chairman opposed this proposal, it was passed by the majority votes of the commissions members.Amidst the controversy, PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayake, speaking on the matter, stated the CEBs electricity tariff hike proposition is against the Electricity Act and the PUCSL Act, alleging that the commissions members have actually been pressurized by politicians, CEB authorities and Power - & Energy Ministry authorities.
According to him, the charges for those who consume less than 90 systems in the domestic category will be increased by 250% according to the CEBs tariff modification proposition.