Business
Govt. says electricity restructuring will give big ‘bill relief’ to more than 4 million consumers
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Proposals in connection with reducing electricity tariffs would be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) on Friday or Monday, Kanchana Wijesekara, Minister of Power and Energy said in parliament yesterday, during the debate on the proposed Ceylon Electricity Board restructuring bill.
“The policy on electricity tariffs of the country has received the approval of the Cabinet according to which electricity prices would be amended every four months,” he said.
Speaking further he said, “This is how we are planning to effect the reduction of electricity tariffs from July 1. We will ensure that the domestic category of consumers would get the highest relief. I don’t know whether the PUCSL would ratify these proposals in the same vein. However, we have proposed to do it as follows. There are 1.8 million consumers in the lowest band of usage between 0-30 units. Their current unit price is Rs. 8 and we have proposed to reduce it to Rs. 6. There are more than 2 million consumers who use between30-60 units per month. We have proposed to reduce their unit price to Rs. 11 from Rs. 20 – a reduction of Rs. 9.”
“There are 1.5 million consumers that use between 60-90 units per month and we have proposed to reduce their unit price to Rs. 18 from Rs. 30. Rs. 50 is charged per unit from customers within the band using up to 120 units. We have proposed to reduce it to Rs. 30 from Rs. 50. This is the category that accounts for most middle income earners and government servants. Thus we will be proposing to give a substantial relief to more than 4 million consumers out of the total 6.8 million consumers.”
“Religious places, schools, boutiques, health institutions, small businesses will get the same relief under this scheme. These proposals will be sent to PUCSL on Friday or Monday and then PUCSL can implement it if they wish to do so. If they think that prices can be reduced further, we will extend our cooperation to that as well,” he said.
Nandika Pathirage- media spokesman of the Senior Electrical Engineers Association said that reducing electricity prices is not magic. “It has to be done through productivity optimization and enhancing efficiency within the sector. That is why we spoke in favor of restructuring the sector in the past and we still do. We will keep the public informed of the true aspects of the impact of the restructuring. What we have is a 50-year old model, and when some people say it can’t be changed, we can’t understand what they are talking about. That is why we say restructuring should be effected.”
Dr. Pradeep Perera, Head of Electricity Restructuring Office said that dividing the CEB into separate sections would increase its efficiency and reduce their operational costs.
‘Thus the government will be able to purchase power at cost efficient prices and pass that benefit on to the consumers. The process will lead to creating better outcomes for electricity consumers,” he said.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
