Reports on higher tariffs in South Asia Reduce electricity tariffs by considerable amount: Sajith urges Govt.

• Cites reports showing Sri Lanka’s electricity tariffs are 2.5-3 times higher than other South Asian nations

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the  government to reduce the electricity tariff by a considerable amount  after analysing the data of the Verité Research and Committee on Public  Finance on electricity tariff, which is said to be higher in South Asia.   

The Opposition Leader told parliament that, according to  the data on the surveys, Sri Lankans pay approximately 2.5 to 3 times  more for electricity compared to their counterparts in other South Asian  nations.   
He said the government increased electricity tariffs on  several occasions in the recent past and that it had negatively affected  consumers, the public, industrial sector and business sector.   

“We heard that the government is planning to reduce  electricity tariff by 4 per cent. It is not at all sufficient. We urge  the government to reduce the electricity tariff by a considerable  amount,” he said.