Cabinet green-lighted electricity tariff hike - CEB

 

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted the approval for an electricity tariff hike as the increase made in the recent past is insufficient to cover the loss of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

This was disclosed at the meeting of National Council’s Sub-Committee on Identifying Short- and Medium-Term Program related to Economic Stabilization on Tuesday (Nov 29).The meeting was held under the chairmanship of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The cabinet has approved to increase the electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.Accordingly, the relevant measures are to be taken for the purpose of obtaining approval of the Public Utilities Commission, said the CEB’s Additional General Manager, Rohan Seneviratne.The representatives of the government and private institutions related to the power sector were called before the sub-committee to obtain proposals for the purpose of solving the issues in the power sector.

In order to cover the current loss, the electricity bill should increase by about 70%, the electricity board representatives said.The chairman of the committee also pointed out the dangers such as the collapse of businesses even if the electricity tariffs are increased with the aim of covering the loss of the electricity board.