Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera

• CEB proposes substantial reduction in electricity tariffs
• Cut ranges from a low of Rs. 2 per unit to a maximum of Rs. 20 per unit
• Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says proposal will be submitted to PUCSL soon
• Opines Govt. as a policy decided to provide maximum concession to lower income, electricity users
• Asserts if approved by PUCSL new electricity tariffs could come into effect from 1 July
• Many criticise move as ploy ahead of Presidential elections; cite ‘exorbitant’ tariffs were an issue for lower income and electricity users, Govt. never heard

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday revealed that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has proposed a reduction in electricity tariffs.

Addressing the Parliament yesterday, he said that the proposal will be submitted to the electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) in the next two days. 

The Minister also explained that it has been proposed to reduce the tariffs for 0-30 units in the domestic category by Rs. 2 from Rs. 8 to Rs. 6. Tariffs for 31-60 units are expected to be reduced by Rs. 11, from Rs. 20 to Rs. 9. For 61-90 units the charge is to be reduced to by Rs. 12 from Rs. 30 to Rs. 18. Wijesekera also disclosed that the tariff charged per unit for the units used between 91- 120 will be reduced by Rs. 20, from Rs. 50 to Rs. 30.

“We will be submitting our new proposal to reduce the electricity tariffs to the Public Utilities Commission. 

The Government, as a policy, decided to provide maximum concession to lower electricity users, lower income people and those consumers who fall under these categories,” the Minister told the Parliament.

Wijesekera said that if approved, the new electricity tariffs could come into effect from 1 July.

He said the proposal will reduce electricity bills for four million households out of the total electricity consumers of 6.8 million.

“I do not know if the Public Utilities Commission will agree with the same proposal as it is. If the Commission thinks these prices could be further reduced, we are ready to do that as well,” Wijesekera asserted.

Many criticise the move as a ploy ahead of the Presidential election in which President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to contest, citing that ‘exorbitant’ tariffs were an issue pointed out by lower income electricity users, which Government turned deaf ear to.

Parliament passes new Electricity Bill with 44 majority votes