The government must not increase electricity tariffs to recover losses caused due to wastage of funds, inefficiency and mismanagement, the consumer affairs advisory committee to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has said.
“Electricity tariffs were increased in August. If the rates are increased again from January by 80 percent, how can people afford it?” Nishantha Preethiraj, the western province representative in the advisory committee told reporters today (Dec 30).
He explained that if the tariff hike is approved, households that pay Rs 360 for consuming between zero and 30 units of electricity will have to pay Rs 2000, while the tariff for consuming between 31 and 60 units will go up from Rs 780 to Rs 3310.
The PUCSL is yet to grant approval for the proposed electricity hike that the government says will be implemented in two stages.
