Sharp electricity tariff hike possible by April – Pubudu

2026-02-17 - 05:49

Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party – Pubudu Jayagoda, has warned that a substantial increase in electricity tariffs could take effect by April, stressing that the public should not be made to bear the burden of government mismanagement. He made these remarks while addressing the media in Polonnaruwa yesterday (Feb. 16). Mr. Jayagoda stated that the Government must assure citizens that losses incurred due to the alleged coal procurement scandal will not be recovered through higher electricity bills. He added that an alternative plan should be presented to outline how such losses will be addressed. He further criticized the authorities, claiming that they are attempting to recover losses caused by their own mismanagement from an already burdened public, and called on the Minister of Power and Energy to apologize to the people for the financial impact. Highlighting the urgency, Mr. Jayagoda urged the immediate cancellation of existing coal tenders and the introduction of a fresh procurement mechanism. Meanwhile, he warned that continued use of substandard coal could trigger a severe electricity crisis and also called on the President to intervene directly, cautioning that failure to act may lead to power cuts similar to those experienced during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.