COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stressed that the government has no intention to increase electricity charges. In response to a request from the power regulator, Public Utilities Commission, the Ceylon Electricity
Board proposed a 5 percent increase in energy costs to cover the revenue shortage for the period of six months from October to March 2017 as the expenses for power generation can increase under special circumstances such as dry weather.
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The CEB however informed the Commission that the final policy decision in this regard should be taken by the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.
The Ministry however, has informed the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) that it is not expecting to increase electricity tariffs to cover up a possible increase in cost.
“We have already informed PUCSL that we are not expecting to increase electricity bill in any manner,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The CEB has requested the power regulator to approve an end-user tariff to recover the revenue shortfall or a subsidy through the upcoming budget to ensure the financial viability of the sector. The CEB says even with the 5% increase, there will still be a shortfall of 38 Rs million/month.
