Kanchana denies Gotabaya was responsible for electricity crisis last year

• Says country didn’t build new plants after 2015
• Announces electricity tariff reduction of 27% proposed for those using less than 90 units
• Promises to provide greater relief to consumers in January 2024
• Says ruling party will continue to support Wickremesinghe despite difference in ideologies and policies

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara yesterday defended the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying the latter wasn’t responsible for last year’s electricity crisis but lack of new generating plants.

Speaking at Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) gathering in Nawalapitiya, the Minister refuted allegations that the Government was forced to implement power cuts last year due to the failures of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“It was the failure to manage power generation since 2014 that led to the power cuts that lasted 12 - 13 hours last year. No power plants were built after 2015. This is the reality,” Wijesekera said.

“Some believe we are overjoyed about having to increase electricity and other tariffs. That is untrue,” emphasised the Minister who also announced that an electricity tariff reduction of 27% has been proposed for those using less than 90 units.

According to the proposal users under the three categories of 0-30 units, 30-60 units and 60-90 units will be granted a relief of 27% on their bills.

The Minister said therefore a tariff reduction will be implemented in July to provide relief to those who utilise a small number of units. He also said the Government believes it will be able to provide greater relief to the public in January next year.

Wijesekara said despite the difference in ideologies, the ruling party will continue to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his efforts in order to rebuild the economy and country.

“Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took the best decision possible when he appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as Premier and forging a path to create a stable government and the appointment of Wickremesinghe as President thereafter,” he said. “We are happy that though we believe in two different policies we were able to support Wickremesinghe,” he added.