Former Minister of Power & Energy – Ravi Karunanayake has anticipated a programme in the coming months to decrease electricity bills.
Speaking to media recently, he has said that taxes on renewable energy projects have been removed since the time he was functioning as the Power & Energy Minister.
However, he attributed the overstaffed Ceylon Electricity Board, leading to higher production costs, as the reason behind the high electricity tariffs.
“The problem lies within the CEB as they have yet failed to present a proper solution. The CEB has a staff over around 27,000. However, even they accept the fact that the staff requirement is only 10,000 – 15,000. Because of that, electricity tariffs have increased unnecessarily due to the high production cost.The government is aware of this situation and is currently working to head the matter into a proper direction. So, I think in another two or three months, a program will be presented to reduce the electricity bill,” he said.
“The truth might be bitter. But it is only through that bitterness that a country can be led towards the correct path. We are working while accepting that challenge. It is not possible for a single person to change this situation… Everyone should join hands with the support of all parties… and the media should also contribute,” he added.
Problem lies within the CEB – Ravi
