New PUCSL Chairman rules out electricity tariff hike

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Newly appointed Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL,) Janaka Ratnayake said yesterday that he did not think electricity tariffs should be increased.

 Addressing the media after assuming duties, Ratnayake said that as a business owner he felt that Sri Lankans have already paid enough for electricity.

 “This is not a time to increase tariffs. We are reeling from COVID-19. There are 6.5 million households that use electricity; that’s 99% of Sri Lankans. I think we already pay enough for electricity,” he said answering a question posed by a journalist.

 Ratnayake also said that the PUCSL believed that the bulk of electricity should come from renewables and the other sources should be used to complement it.

 He denied claims that the PUCSL would be done away with. The Commission had done a great deal of work and during the last few years alone over 7,000 complaints had been resolved.

“If a consumer had to go to court against the CEB or any other stakeholder it would take years. But the PUCSL has solved thousands of issues quickly and without antagonising anyone. This is a great institution which has benefited the people.”

The PUCSL also unveiled its Annual Activity Plan 2021. A total of 111 projects based on service quality and consumer rights protection in the power industry, water service industry and petroleum industry are to be implemented this year.

“Projects related to the electricity industry have been formulated under four main objectives such as improving productivity and ensuring convenience of electricity consumers, supplying electricity at affordable prices to the consumer and maintaining a sustainable financial position for licensees, improve the safety of every living being and properties of the general public, licensees and operators, improve environmental conditions for humans, animals and plants. Four special projects will be implemented this year to expedite the resolution of electricity consumer complaints and disputes.”