According to Janaka Ratnayake, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the new electricity rates, which take effect on July 1, will be disclosed on June 30.
Speaking to the media, he said steps had been done to inform the public by publishing the PUCSL’s response to the proposed price revision presented by the CEB on June 1.
As a result, the public is encouraged to comment on and provide ideas about the CEB’s proposal for a 3% fee decrease and the Commission’s alternative option.
On June 1, he stated, the PUCSL would announce its proposed tariff revision.
“The public can submit their comments and suggestions in writing till June 20. There will also be an opportunity to submit oral comments regarding the tariff revision. We invite all parties to actively participate in this fee-setting process,” Ratnayake said.
“During the tariff hike implemented last February, poor consumers who consume less than 90 units were unfairly hiked. Fees were increased from 150 percent to 250 percent in these categories in violation of the provisions of the Act that the basis of reasonable cost charging and affordability should be subsidized. Due to both recent tariff revisions, the tariff has increased by 1,200 percent for the categories with consumption less than 30 units,” he said.
He said, “This tariff revision should provide justice to consumers who consume fewer than 120 units in the domestic sector, religious institutions, and tourist hotels, who were adversely impacted by the unfounded tariff revision adopted last February.
