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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) a two-week extension to submit its proposed electricity tariff revisions. The new deadline for submission is set for 6 December, according to a formal letter issued by the electricity regulator.
The extension was granted following a request from the CEB, which cited the need for additional time to finalise its proposal. However, the PUCSL highlighted that this delay will affect the overall timeline for the approval process, pushing the earliest possible date for tariff implementation to 17 January 2025.
The electricity regulator also warned that failure to meet the extended deadline will compel the Commission to invoke the Bulk Supply Transaction (BST) operational guideline, which mandates passing the positive balance of the Bulk Supply Transaction Account directly to consumers.
Under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act of 2009, the PUCSL follows a structured timeline for tariff approvals, governed by the Approved Tariff Methodology and Tariff Review Procedure Rules.
Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union has requested CEB Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya to distribute employee bonuses before 10 December, citing the Board’s recent return to profitability.
According to Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal, a formal letter has been sent to the Chairman highlighting the need to share these profits with employees. With the CEB now in a profitable position, the Union insists that its workforce deserves a share of these benefits.
The Union emphasised that bonuses had not been provided for around two years, as the Board previously claimed financial losses.