The National Council informed officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday (13) to hold discussions before the PUCSL takes the final decision on February 15th regarding the electricity bill.
Accordingly, the officials of both parties agreed to meet last afternoon (13) for the purpose of discussing this matter.
The National Council met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The Chairman of the Electricity Board said that if the required percentage is not allowed to be increased in a background where the Electricity Board is demanding a 60% increase in electricity tariffs, it will have to face a serious crisis. Accordingly, he pointed out that due to the lack of money even to import coal in the future, there is a risk for longer power cut, Parliament's Department of Communications stated.
The officials of the PUCSL that arrangements are being made to announce the final decision on the electricity increase on the 15th. They also pointed out that the data from the CEB and the views of the relevant stakeholders including the public have been obtained.
Attention was also paid to the fact that the Chairman and the Director General of the PUCSL are currently abroad. The Secretary of the Public Utilities Commission said that they had gone abroad after proper permission as planned many months ago and the Chairman and Director General had intervened in all these activities in full capacity.
The National Council pointed out that at such time, it is more important to discuss the views of both the Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission and come to a consensus and take a decision where as in failure to do so would otherwise cause suffering to the people which cannot be avoided.
Furthermore, the chairman to the National Council sub-committee Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies, Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa informed the National Council of the National Policy Commission to be established. The Prime Minister gave instructions to take steps to get the views and suggestions of the Members of Parliament after completing the preparation of the concept paper. Accordingly, the Prime Minister said that necessary steps will be taken through the National Council on this regard.
Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Kanchana Wijesekera, Tiran Alas, State Ministers Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, D. V. Chanaka, Sisira Jayakody, Members of Parliament Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardana, A. L. M. Athaullah, Namal Rajapaksa, Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the meeting held. Tikiri K. Jayathilake, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament was also present at the Council meeting held.
Moreover, the members of the Public Utilities Commission, the officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ceylon Electricity Board were also summoned before the National Council.
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