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Nearly 8-hour daily power cuts from January

6 December 2022 11:35 am - 30     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Six to eight hour daily power cuts will have to be imposed from next year, if the proposed electricity tariff amendments were not implemented, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Making a special statement in Parliament, the minister said power traiffs will have to be increased in January. 

" The production cost of one unit of power is Rs 56.90. the Ceylon Electricity Board needs Rs 420 billion to meet it's expenditure," he said.

" Ceylon Electricity Board owes Rs 70 billion to the private power plants and Rs 40 billion to small scale power suppliers,' he added. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 30

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  • Nilanka Tuesday, 06 December 2022 11:54 AM

    " Ceylon Electricity Board owes Rs 70 billion to the private power plants and Rs 40 billion to small scale power suppliers,' PAY FROM THE COMMISSION YOU ALL GOT

    Prince Tuesday, 06 December 2022 11:57 AM

    Most of the private power suppliers are the friends of the CEB high ups and VVIPS . If they are paid the high ups and VVIPS benifits at the misary of the public.

    Daya Tuesday, 06 December 2022 12:47 PM

    CEB has a huge overstaffed manpower and pays allowance and overtime payments more than what they deserve. First, restructure CEB and get a efficient person to manage, like Litro Gas.

    Aram Tuesday, 06 December 2022 12:56 PM

    So what, resign and go home. In India some states supply electricity to farmers free of charge in order to boost production but here minister never ever gave priority to those who applied for electricity for agricultural purpose has bee brought under business category by five times doubling the basic charges recently Bulshit

    Concerned Citizen Tuesday, 06 December 2022 01:23 PM

    All Private Emergency Power providers are all rogues and thieves who have paid millions of bribes to CEB employees ! You can recover the additional amounts from CEB employees. Pl investigate ALL CEB employees and their close relatives including their assets and bank accounts to verify their source of wealth !

    Joseph Navaratnam Tuesday, 06 December 2022 01:28 PM

    Can the Hon. Minister, Explain to the Ordinary citizen the following: A) How much power generated for local consumption. B) Of the above: i) How much is generated by hydro generation ii) How much is generated by fuel operated generators. iii) How much is generated by could powered generators.

    Anura Jayantha Tuesday, 06 December 2022 01:36 PM

    Get rid of 50,% of your engineers and no tariff increase is necessary...what happened to your restructuring?

    Ihshan Tuesday, 06 December 2022 01:50 PM

    The missing magic words in State owned enterprises... "COST CUTTING AND RESTRUCTURING".

    Concerned Citizen Tuesday, 06 December 2022 01:57 PM

    Have you gone nuts... how on earth could the citizenry afford to pay such huge electricity bills??? It's easy for you to comment. Reduce the staff at CEB and then I suppose the nos would fall in line.

    William Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:19 PM

    Who gave you these figures? Are your accounts audited? Submit your accounts for the perusal and scrutiny of the public. Then the people can decide whether your request is reasonable. Telling the jokers in parliament who doesnt know a hang of these matters is the worst joke. Or are you acting as a mouth-piece for someone who is hell bent on trampling the masses?

    sunil Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:24 PM

    If all religious institutions and politicians pay up their bills like we unfortuante tax paying fools, there would be no need to increase the electricty charges

    electrical engineer Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:29 PM

    give low interest loans for people to install solar panels

    Iwazaru Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:30 PM

    No logic in what this clown says. He says there is no dollars to buy fuel. How can increase in the tariff overcome the dollar shortage. We do not pay our electricity bills in dollars. In fact we are running out of toilet paper too to make payments.

    Lion Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:36 PM

    This is what you all left for us after 74 years of rule after independence.

    Sampath Tuesday, 06 December 2022 02:58 PM

    He explained very well. If it has to be done then it will have to be done. If people and politicians don't understand then accept the consequences.

    Rishan Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:13 PM

    Charge the actual cost from consumers who used below 90 . At the moment they pay Only Rs 16 per unit. Else ask from treasury to.provide concession to low usage consumers .... Dont charge high users as they alreadynpayjng 75/- per unit.

    Adh Tuesday, 06 December 2022 03:37 PM

    Why not promote Solar and make duty free, most people who can afford will go for it, which will bring the cost of CEB drastically down. Think out-of the box

    Terrence K Tuesday, 06 December 2022 03:37 PM

    State owned enterprises have always been in disarray since there are many who are going to lose if this is handed over to the private sector. Organizations which were once SOE's and in partnership with private entities are functioning very smoothly as these organizations are properly managed, containing overheads, wastage etc. and with no political influence to absorb lackeys of politicians. In this scenario the consumers need not experience power outages. Even the price could be well balanced whilst limiting the subsidy to some extent without burdening the higher brackets of users of powers which will be a disincentive in competing in the international market. What is necessary for these organizations are personnel with integrity and transparency who will not make a fast buck jeopardizing the going concern.

    Rizvi mohamed Tuesday, 06 December 2022 03:41 PM

    Make immediate arrangements to recover the arrears from all politicians and unpaid amount from the persons with political connection. Settle that to CEB. Then do a study and inform the public without making the public liable for money's not paid by politicians and politically connected guys. Sri Lanka Jayawewa

    Manoj Rasiah Tuesday, 06 December 2022 04:46 PM

    Another ARAGALIYA, is needed

    Rishan Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:11 PM

    Production cost is 56.90 per unit. So those consumers who are using over 180 units pay 75/- per unit. Do you think even for those high users Electricy tariff should be increased ???

    SK Kumara Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:25 PM

    Adh, Solar is a great plan but have you noticed lately how much sunshine we have been receiving ? What about the continuous rain ? (Which is also a prime cause for reduction of efficiency in solar). Good for nothing country with brain-dead politicians and their butt licking masses, who supported deforestation and illicit encroachment, now enjoy the results !!

    GHT Tuesday, 06 December 2022 10:55 PM

    A clear sign that the IMF, a puppet of the US, orders implemented to PRIVATIZE the CEB.

    John Fernando Wednesday, 07 December 2022 02:20 AM

    Did Keheliya Rambukwella who owed several million rupees to CEB pay yet? May be so many corrupted politicians didn’t pay anything for electricity? Basil didn’t pay for VIP party , do you think he will pay for his electricity?

    Nidlas Wednesday, 07 December 2022 07:13 AM

    Cost cutting on the payroll and allowances, no pay leave at least 2/3 days a month for all employees of CEB would ease the expenses burden Mr Minister - no way can you increase the unit cost of electricity unless steps are taken to reduce the expenses.

    Sunil Wednesday, 07 December 2022 09:40 AM

    This guy is now attempting to blackmail the consumers while allowing the CEB to go on a spending spree. Utterly immature, uneducated and inexperienced for the job.

    DOT Wednesday, 07 December 2022 10:08 AM

    At least you are talking the reality! Better late than never !

    Jef Wednesday, 07 December 2022 10:41 AM

    Sri lanka will never prosper while sri lankans running government sectors department etc...purely due to financial abuse over heads theft lack care responsibility etc. Most of devolop countries have a system if any trade or business have no profitability then end up selling or partnership sri lanka must take very seriously to minimize losses due to on going financial difficulties debts etc...country need to go on speedy recovery road whitout any hesitations

    joshua Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:37 PM

    You try it and see the repercussions.

    Nimal Wednesday, 07 December 2022 11:20 PM

    Cut off the power (minister) then the power cut will be sorted out.


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