The reduction in electricity tariffs this quarter is insufficient, and the CEB must immediately distribute Rs. 10,975 million profits it earned over the past three quarters but has yet to return to consumers, the Electricity Consumers’ Association said on Friday (24).
Speaking at a press briefing, Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the amount should be shared among the country’s 4.7 million electricity consumers, with each one receiving Rs. 2,357.
He noted that while the CEB had not increased tariffs this quarter, the Board had recorded a profit of Rs. 25,462 million during the previous three quarters, largely due to earlier tariff hikes. Of that, only Rs. 8,487 million had been passed on to the public through the recent rate adjustment, leaving Rs. 10,975 million still in the Board’s possession.
“These are not our figures,” Dhammika said. “They come directly from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Therefore, we urge the government to ensure that the remaining Rs. 10,975 million is immediately returned to electricity consumers across the country. If distributed equally, each consumer should receive Rs. 2,357.”
He called on the Power and Energy Minister and the President to intervene without delay, reminding that the government had come to power, promising a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs.
“Instead of providing relief, the authorities continue to collect more money from consumers,” Dhammika said. “If the government fails to refund this amount, it must at least pay interest on the excess funds collected from consumers.”
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage 