Shanakiyan Rasamanickam

MP Shanakiyan shines a light on electricity tariff hike

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…The officials of the PUCSL were brought to the Presidential Secretariat and approval was obtained for the price hike while both the chairperson and the director general of this commission were away from the country…what the PUCSL has said is to increase a unit [of electricity] from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 [for the lowest tariff band]. But today, it has been increased from Rs. 8 to Rs. 30.

ManthriLK_Watch | February 24, 2023

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Fact Check

To check this claim, FactCheck.lk consulted documentation published by the PUCSL, including correspondence between the CEB and PUCSL.  

In his statement, the MP claims that “the PUCSL” recommended that the cost of a unit in the lowest band of tariffs be increased from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10, but instead of that, the price has increased to Rs. 30. “The PUCSL” in this case can refer to two possible groups (1) Expert staff and directorate of the PUCSL (2) PUCSL Commission Members. In the larger context of the statement, the MP refers to group 1 as the PUCSL. 

Correspondence records show that on 5 January 2023, the CEB submitted a tariff structure proposal, which recommended increasing the cost of a unit in the lowest tariff band from LKR 8 to LKR 30. A PUCSL paper dated 13 February 2023, signed off by the directorate of the Tariff and Economic Affairs division of the PUCSL (group 1), rejected the CEB proposal and recommended instead to the PUCSL Commission (group 2) to increase the cost of a unit in the lowest tariff band from LKR 8 to LKR 10. There is, however, controversy, that is being litigated, over whether the PUCSL Commission (group 2) had a valid meeting/decision to reject the PUCSL (group 1) recommendation and adopt the CEB recommendation instead.  

Because the MP is correct in claiming that the CEB’s tariff increase is not in line with the increase recommended by the PUCSL (group 1), we classify his statement as TRUE. 

*FactCheck.lk’s verdict is based on the most recent information that is publicly accessible. As with every fact check, if new information becomes available, FactCheck.lk will revisit the assessment. 

 



Sources

https://www.pucsl.gov.lk/consultation-document-for-revision-of-electricity-tariffs-2023/ [Last accessed 22nd March 2023] 

Commission Paper  [Last accessed 22nd March 2023] 

Feb 2023 – Revision  [Last accessed 22nd March 2023] 

CEB request for tariff revision dated 5th January 2023 [Last accessed 22nd March 2023] 

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