Electricity Consumers’ Association quotes chapter and verse to show it is illegal to increase power tariffs again

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

Electricity Consumers’ Association Secretary Sanjeeva Dhammika, says a further increase in power tariffs within the current fiscal year is illegal.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo on Sunday, Dhammika referred to the government’s policy directives outlined in Section 5 of the Electricity Act, which stipulates that electricity rates may undergo adjustment only twice annually. Two such revisions have already transpired within this calendar year. Consequently, any prospect of an additional tariff modification is precluded until the forthcoming year.

“In accordance with the existing policy guidelines, a third revision of electricity tariffs is impermissible for the current year. The actions of the Minister of Power and the Ministry Secretary are in contravention of both the Electricity Act and the government policy,” Dhammika said, adding that they called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed tariff increase, which he called illegal. He warned of legal action to safeguard the rights of consumers.

“We urge them to withdraw the proposed illegal electricity tariff hike immediately. If not, we will go to court to protect consumer”.

Dhammika said: “The CEB says this year it will incur a loss of 31 billion rupees. They point out the main reason for this loss is the purchase of emergency electricity at high prices. The purchase of emergency power is done with the blessings of the Minister of Power. Low-cost renewable power plants and rooftop solar projects are moving very slowly.”