CEB withdraws gazette to up rates

by Wasantha Ramanayake

The Ceylon Electricity Board would withdraw the Gazette Notification that announced the tariff increase which was due to take effect from November 1, 2004 the Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal.

Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakaratne informed the court that the CEB had decided to withdraw the gazette notification that was challenged by the Consumers' Association, a non governmental organization on the basis that the public had not been afforded a hearing with regard to the contemplated tariff increase in terms of Section 52(2) of the Ceylon Electricity Board Act.

The Bench comprised Justices K. Sripavan and Eric Basnayake. In view of the cancellation the petitioners moved to withdraw the case. The court accordingly dismissed the application. Petitioners C. Gammaththige, and L.K.N. Perera cited the CEB, its chairman Ranjith Fernando and the Power and Energy Minister as respondents.

They sought Writ of Certiorari quashing the gazette dated September 27, that gave notice of the tariff increase. They also sought a Writ of Prohibition preventing the first and second respondents from charging the increased tariff without giving a hearing as provided by the CEB Act. Peter Jayasekera with P. Liyanaarachchi appeared for the petitioners.

Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakarathne Jayasinghe appeared for the respondents.