Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the government’s plan to increase electricity tariffs was stopped as a result of pressure exerted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
He said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) rejected the Ceylon Electricity Board’s proposal to increase electricity bills by 6.8 percent under the advice and conditions of the IMF, following the SJB’s strong campaign against the move.
“The government and the CEB were preparing to raise electricity tariffs again, citing IMF conditions. But as we warned across the country that if the government did so, we would take to the streets, the PUCSL rejected the tariff hike early this morning,” Premadasa said.
Speaking at a meeting with Kandy District Provincial Council members today, the Opposition Leader said the SJB had fulfilled a major duty as the opposition, not by holding discussions in luxury hotels, but by standing with the people. He also expressed gratitude to the PUCSL for its decision.
Premadasa further stated that it was the SJB’s intervention that prevented the unjustified electricity tariff increase. “It is not enough to suspend the tariff hike for three months — the government must reduce electricity bills by 33 percent in the coming weeks, as it promised during the election campaign. The President and the government pledged to bring a Rs. 9,000 bill down to Rs. 6,000, and a Rs. 3,000 bill down to Rs. 2,000. If they fail to do so, we will once again take to the streets with the people,” he said.
He added that the IMF was pressuring the government to increase electricity tariffs. “When in opposition, the current rulers promised to renegotiate the previous IMF agreement, but they have not changed a single condition. They have become subservient to the IMF and forgotten their promises. More than half of the country’s population is now living in poverty, and instead of providing relief, the government is adding to their burden,” he said.
Premadasa emphasised that the SJB would continue to act as a genuinely democratic and people-centred opposition that does not betray the citizens through political deals but stands firm to protect their rights.
