Tariff hikes: Cabinet looking at concessions

27 April 2013 05:19 am

Amid growing public agitation against the increase in electricity tariffs, the Cabinet is exploring the possibility of giving concessions to consumers, a minister said yesterday.   

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara had told the April 18 Cabinet meeting that consumers should be given concessions and though the ministers wanted to discuss this proposal further on April 24, it could not be done because some of them were absent.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said key ministers including Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was unable to attend the meeting to discuss the electricity tariff hike.

“We will discuss it next week.  We will only look at the possibility of giving concessions to the people under the existing mechanism,” he said.
Large scale public agitation is being organised by opposition parties against the price hike. The United National Party (UNP) even held a candle light protest in Parliament on Wednesday. 

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has organised a series of protest rallies throughout the country against this tariff increase while some civil society groups are planning to take legal action against the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for increasing the electricity tariff. (Kalum Bandara)