SC allows Church to intervene in tariff revision case

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday allowed the Catholic Church to intervene in the proceedings in the Rights Application filed against the electricity tariff revision dated March 14.

The Bench comprised Justice Dr. (Mrs.) Shiranee Thilakawardane, Justice Saleem Marsoof PC and Justice P.A. Ratnayake.

Intervenient-petitioner Rev. Fr. Hycinth Perera, of the Archbishop’s House Colombo 8, in his petition stated that he was seeking to intervene in the proceedings on behalf of himself, the Catholic Churches and the public.

The intervenient-petitioner submitted that the last electricity revision dated March 14, had been violative of the rights of the Catholic Churches, and other charitable institutions maintained by the church as well as the public and sought a court to null and void the same.

Counsel K. Thiranagama for the petitioner Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, the chief Incumbent of the Nalandaramaya Nugegoda submitted that the electricity supply of certain temples had been disconnected due to the non-payment of the bills.

He submitted that the bills are so high that some of the temples who could not afford it. He also submitted that the 30 per cent fuel adjustment charges with regard to the religious institutions had not been waived off as promised by the Government.

However Deputy Solicitor General S. Rajaratnam for the respondent submitted that he was not aware of such a concession being granted to the religious institutions.

Three petitioners complained to the Court that their rights had been violated by the recent tariff revision since the burden of the high consumption of electricity by affluent consumers had been passed onto poor and small consumers.

The hearing was put off for September 18.