The Electricity and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera declared in Parliament today (20) that maintenance expenditures allocated for four years, which were initially earmarked for this year, will be deferred to the next three years. This strategic move is anticipated to pave the way for a substantial reduction in electricity tariffs.
The Minister also disclosed plans to submit a proposal regarding the revised electricity tariff system to the Public Utilities Commission by the end of the week. Wijesekera noted that although the opposition was invited to participate in discussions regarding the revision of electricity bills, they were unable to join due to scheduling conflicts. Nonetheless, a diverse array of stakeholders, including engineers from universities and engineering associations, as well as various organizations, contributed valuable insights and suggestions during the deliberations.
Wijesekera outlined the timeline of the proposal’s development, indicating that public comments were solicited by the Public Utilities Commission on January 15th. Combining these comments with the recommendations from the aforementioned discussions, the government has crafted a comprehensive proposal aimed at addressing the concerns surrounding electricity tariffs while ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
As part of this proposal, the Minister emphasized the decision to reallocate funds designated for maintenance over the next three years, rather than executing them in the current fiscal year. This strategic financial maneuver is expected to create room for more significant reductions in electricity bills than initially anticipated.
Looking ahead, Wijesekera expressed optimism regarding the forthcoming proposal submission to the Public Utilities Commission. He affirmed the government’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits to consumers through reduced electricity tariffs and expressed confidence in the Commission’s ability to evaluate and decide on the proposed revisions expeditiously.
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