Electricity tariff system to be restructured

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The regulation of the water supply and Petroleum sectors will be entrusted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to offer maximum benefits to the public and reduce the monopoly powers being exercised by state water supply agencies and the Petroleum Corporation.

Electricity services regulation has already been vested in the PUCSL completely by the recently introduced Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009.

PUCSL Deputy Director General Dhamitha Kumarasinghe commenting on the program concerning the electricity regulatory activities, said in the future, the present electricity tariff system would be restructured benefitting low income group electricity consumers, businessmen and industrialists.

“The CEB is now not allowed to disconnect power supply of households or commercial establishments. A consolation period has to be offered to pay arrears. The public are requested to complain to the PUCSL of any injustice committed by the authorities. We have been finalizing the appointment of an independent steering committee comprising members to advise the PUCSL management,” he said.

Nine persons who are experienced in social services, public relations and administrative procedures will be recruited from the nine provinces for the committee. Three members will representate the business and industrial community while the other three members will be experts in electricity, petroleum and water supply,” Kumarasinghe said.