The Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has acted to waive Rs.33 billion as non-essential expenditure out of Rs.268 billion estimated by the Ceylon Electricity Board as this year’s expenditure.

The amount waived had been included in the proposed increase of electricity tariff to be recovered from consumers. “The additional expenses that were to be borne by the CEB will be reduced by the amount that has been waived,” PUC Chairman Jayatissa De Costa said.

He said in the event the CEB increased its rates, it would be done after removing this amount from its estimated expenses and with the approval of the PUC.

This reduction had been possible by not obtaining power from some of the private companies and having also considering the increased capacity of the hydro power plants.

This saving is expected to be in the region of Rs.33 billion. Dr. Costa said savings include unnecessary capital expenditure of Rs.5 billion and expenditure unrelated to the supply of electricity is another Rs.6 billion. The PUC will take these matters into consideration when fixing the tariff rates. (Ariyaratne Ranabahu)