Alleging that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) provided misleading data to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to delay a scheduled power tariff revision, SJB trade unionist Ananda Palitha claimed yesterday (12) that electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 35%. Despite recent statements by Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody in Parliament that tariff reductions would not be implemented soon, Palitha insisted that the PUC could still enforce a significant reduction based on the CEB’s profits.
Speaking to The Island, Palitha said the PUC will announce the tariff revision on Friday (17), following public consultations with various stakeholders. He criticized the CEB for falsely claiming that tariff relief would be impossible during the January-June 2025 period.
Palitha noted that under the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration, a policy was introduced for four annual tariff revisions. However, the CEB has consistently resisted meaningful reductions, regardless of the government in power. He pointed out that in March 2024, the PUC implemented a 21.9% reduction, although the CEB had proposed only 4%. Similarly, in July 2024, the PUC enforced a 22.5% reduction, far above the CEB’s recommended 3%.
Palitha also accused the CEB of derailing the October 2024 tariff revision, despite President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s assurances of lower electricity costs. He criticized the President for delaying the appointment of PUC members while prioritizing appointments to the CEB, which limited the PUC’s ability to act decisively.
The trade unionist highlighted multiple instances where the PUC exposed false claims by the CEB. In August 2022, the CEB proposed a 110% tariff hike, but the PUC approved only 75%. Similarly, in February 2023, the PUC allowed a 66% increase, rejecting the CEB’s request for an 85% hike. In July 2023, when the CEB offered a maximum reduction of 3%, the PUC enforced a 14.2% decrease.
Palitha further alleged that the government was complicit in allowing the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to exploit consumers by overcharging for diesel used in thermal power generation. He questioned why the CEB procures diesel from the CPC at the same rates as ordinary consumers, asserting that this practice inflates costs unnecessarily.
He accused both the CEB and CPC of collusion, which has perpetuated the financial burden on electricity consumers. Palitha demanded that the government address this issue and implement much-needed reforms in the energy sector.
The CEB was unavailable for comment as its spokesperson position remains vacant. However, Palitha emphasized that the PUC has a duty to protect consumers from these manipulations and ensure that tariffs reflect actual costs and profits, providing much-needed relief to the public.
