Courtesy Hiru News

Speaking at the Cabinet press briefing today (22), Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated that the Government is not looking to abolish the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), but to appoint an alternative organization similar to that.

He explained that within a year, the Government has observed major incompetencies with the PUCSL which they hope to correct with the alternative option.

He added that the new organization will be appointed following the discussions with the Finance Ministry as well as the President’s Office which would also decide the powers that will be vested with the new organization.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of National Coalition for the Protection of Consumer Rights (NCPCR), Ranjith Vithanage stated that the PUCSL was a place where the electricity consumer could complain regarding the difficulties they face and that an organization that worked towards stopping the ‘power mafia’

Addressing in the same media briefing, Consumer Organization for Rights National Organizer Kelum Amarasiri gave examples where the PUCSL worked towards the betterment and the benefit of the electricity consumer.

He claimed that the authorities are trying to abolish the Commission as the PUCSL has managed to stop the unnecessary buying of electricity units in two occasions in the past year.