ECONOMYNEXT – Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said he will take legal action over 66 percent electricity tariff hike, which was higher than the increase recommended by its secretariat.
“I will take legal actions against the decision to increase the tariff,” Ratnayake told reporters at a zoom meeting Thursday.
“I will go as the Chairman of the PUCSL alone, because the last time I went to the court, they said I went without the consent of other members.
“I will go behalf of the general public because through this tariff hike, the people who uses below 120 units will have to pay while people who uses more than 120 units don’t have to pay extra.”
Ratnayake said he could only be removed by the parliament.
“I am protected by the PUCSL Act and only with a majority of 115 votes in the parliament can remove me from the position,” he said.
The tariff division of the PUCSL after a public hearing, revised down a 66 percent revenue increase sought by the CEB to around 35 percent while overcharging high users which was supported by Ratnayake.
However three other commissioners supported a 66 percent tariff hike.
In another development Ratnayake said police sealed his office at Merchants Tower, Colombo after getting a court order saying documents may be lost.
“I am thankful and I think it is a good initiative by the police, because there might be attempts put something in my office to falsely accuse me.
“And since I am not in the office I thank the Police and the court for taking that proactive measures to prevent such incident.
CEB said in tariff filing it needs an additional 287 billion rupees to avoid losses. (Colombo/Feb 16/2023)
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