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Battle over proposed power tariff intensifies as PUCSL Chief rejects NC deadline
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Ratnayake, yesterday (22) said that Parliament couldn’t, under any circumstances, settle the simmering dispute over the power tariffs, proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), outside the PUCSL Act No 35 of 2002 and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No 20 of 2009.
The outspoken official, embroiled in a running battle with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government, said so when The Island sought his response to the all-party National Council (NC) directive to the PUCSL, and the CEB, to reach a consensus on electricity tariffs before they appeared before the NC tomorrow (24).
Emphasising the need to finalize the required calculations, before a final decision could be made, intrepid official Ratnayake said that he didn’t mince his words when the situation was explained to the National Council.The PUCSL and the CEB received specific directive, in this regard, from the National Council, on January 19, during proceedings chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
The leader of the ruling party parliamentary group, Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, sat at the head table, with the Speaker and Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake.
“Let me stress, the National Council or any other institution cannot impose a deadline on the PUCSL. We abide by the relevant parliamentary Act,” Ratnayake said.
However, the PUCSL and the CEB haven’t met so far.Asked whether he had the backing of the entire Board, the PUCSL Chairman said that having unanimously taken a stand against the Cabinet-of-Ministers backed CEB’s pricing formula, on January 12, some other members reneged on their word.
The PUCSL board consists of Janaka Ratnayake (Chairman), Udeni Wickramasingle (Deputy Chairman), Chathurika Wijesinghe and Mohan Samaranayake. Prof. Janaka B. Ekanayake (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya) quit the PUCSL board in early part of last year. That vacancy hasn’t been filled yet.
Ratnayake alleged that the other members had switched their allegiance to the government and were pursuing a strategy harmful to the electricity consumers.
Asked whether the majority could override him to pave the way for the second electricity increase, within months, Ratnayake answered in the affirmative. Ratnayake said that he would resort to legal action if that happened. He questioned the circumstances the other members met President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a few hours before they appeared before the NC.
Ratnayake said that he couldn’t be removed unless approved by 113 members of the parliament.
The Island raised the issues at hand with Mohan Samaranayake, who strongly denied accusations made by the PUCSL Chairman, as regards their response to the Cabinet-of-Ministers reconfirming on January 09, 2023, a decision taken in November last year, to increase electricity tariffs.
“The Cabinet of Ministers, in a note addressed to the PUCSL, advised what was expected of us,” Samaranayake said, emphasising that the PUCSL was not asked to take decisions beyond its mandate. Referring to change of policy guidelines, Samaranayake said that the Cabinet had asked for an interim revision of electricity tariffs, pending a final decision by 15 February 2023, and backdated increase with effect from January 01, 2023.
Having received the Cabinet note, the PUCSL board met on 12 January to discuss its response and it had been agreed to respond in writing, Samaranayake said. “The letter was to be shown to us before dispatching it to the Cabinet. However, the letter dated January 13 was sent on the evening of 16 January,” Samaranayake alleged.
Declaring that the Chairman didn’t have special powers at all, Samaranayake questioned the legality of Janaka Ratnayake signing the letter, on behalf of the entire PUCSL even without showing it to them.
In spite of the PUCSL Chairman repeatedly declaring that he was opposed to the CEB’s pricing formula, the letter addressed to the Cabinet-of-Ministers had not said so, Samaranayake said. What the Chairman really said was that the PUCSL was in the process of reviewing the CEB proposal, Samaranayake said, acknowledging that the interim tariff hike and backdated increase, with effect from 01 January 2023, had been rejected.
Samaranayake, one-time head of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Media Division, said that he had accepted an invitation from President Wickremesinghe. Two other members, too, had received separate invitations and, during discussions with President Wickremesinghe, in the presence of Power Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, the rapidly developing crisis had been explained.
“There was absolutely no basis for claims the President exerted pressure on us,” Samaranayake said.
Responding to another query, Samaranayake said that when Premier Gunawardena and other lawmakers raised the issues at hand, he had explained the situation to them and why they couldn’t agree with the PUCSL Chairman.
Samaranayake alleged that some persons had threatened him and Deputy Chairman Wickramasinghe on the 17th floor of the Merchant Tower Building, Kollupitiya, while they were returning from a special meeting of the PUCSL board, on 21 January.
Chathurika Wijesinghe hadn’t attended that particular meeting as she was out of Colombo, Samaranayake said, adding that several persons confronted them as they arrived at the Bank of Ceylon-owned building for the meeting. “They asked us not to betray the people for perks and privileges,” Samaranayake said. However, after the conclusion of the meeting, there was a group on the 17th floor who acted in a threatening manner and then joined Samaranayake and Wickremesinghe in the elevators, where they warned of consequences if they ‘collaborated’ with the government, Samaranayake said.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
