The Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) yesterday petitioned the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) against accepting the Ceylon Electricity Board’s proposed electricity tariff hike, which the business community says was one of the highest in the world.
JSS President Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana, MP, said, after handing over the petition to PUC head Jayatissa de Costa, that yet another increase in electricity rates would be very unfair by the people who were undergoing immense hardships.
The Rajapaksa regime had been jacking up the prices of essential commodities and services without any consideration whatsoever for the masses. The trend could not be allowed to continue, the MP noted while warning that the JSS would take to the streets if their representations were rejected.
With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year fast approaching one would have expected the government to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. The soaring cost of living had made such a celebration impossible, Jayawardana observed.
Jayatissa de Costa said that many political parties, civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders had submitted written representations regarding the CEB proposal to revise electricity tariffs.
The deadline for submitting objections and suggestions ended yesterday. A decision would be announced after the public hearing on April 4, he said.
