Accordingly, the officials of both parties agreed to meet Feb (13) for the purpose of discussing this matter.
This was informed when the National Council met (13) under the chairmanship of Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and Prime Minister Hon. 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.
The officials of the Public Utilities Commission said 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 Public Utilities Commission 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 Hon. 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 Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, Hon. Tiran Alas, State Ministers
Hon. Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Members of
Parliament Hon. Johnston Fernando, Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah, Hon.
Namal Rajapaksa, Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the meeting held. Mr. 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.
