Electricity tariff hike proposal not presented to Cabinet – Spokesperson

 Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson & Minister Bandula Gunawardena on Tuesday (20) said that the proposal to increase electricity tariffs was not presented to Monday's (19) cabinet meeting.

Multiple factions has opposed the proposal citing that it was unjust on the consumers who already experienced a tariff hike for electricity in August 2022.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a hike in electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.

A statement from Sri Lanka Parliament said that although the electricity tariff has been increased in the past, it is not sufficient to cover the loss of the electricity board and thus, the request to increase the electricity bill has received cabinet approval. 

This was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held on 29th November 2022.

On the 8th of December, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared that there was no alternative other than increasing the tariff of electricity.

The President told Parliament that in view of the increased losses the government was forced take unpopular decisions.