Parliament to debate motion to remove PUCSL chair on 24 May

The party leaders during a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs yesterday have decided to take up for debate the resolution to remove the current Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman Janaka Ratnayake. 

Accordingly, the debate will take place on 24 May. The decision to debate the motion presented by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara on Tuesday was made following a request by the opposition in parliament. 

The motion by Wijesekara came after several months of public spats and disagreements between the Minister and Ratnayake over power cuts, electricity tariff hikes and other key decisions. Ratnayake was seen vehemently opposing and challenging decisions taken by the Minister in this regard. 

The motion was presented in accordance with clause 7 of the Public Utilities Commission Act and was tabled in parliament by Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga. Prior to the motion being tabled in parliament, a charge sheet signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was also reportedly sent to Ratnayake on 22 March. 

In January this year, Wijesekara announced his decision to remove Ratnayake from the post after weeks of clashes between the duo. The motion was presented just a day after the Commission led by Ratnayake demanded an immediate 20% reduction in electricity tariff citing a drop in demand, lower exchange rate and fuel prices as compelling and justifiable reasons for such a move.  

Meanwhile, Ratnayake has also expressed his intentions to contest the 2024 Presidential election. He has promised to present a set of policies that would revolutionise the economy and address the current crisis situation. Ratnayake has claimed he will contest as an independent candidate.