The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake launched a scathing attack on “stupid politicians” saying they were responsible for the power crisis in Sri Lanka.
He also said that the developing situation in the country has forced him to consider entering politics.
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera is pushing for the removal of Ratnayake after he had refused to back the electricity tariff hike, but Ratnayake told Daily Mirror he will not quit.
He also expressed confidence that the proposal will not receive the 113 majority it requires in Parliament for him to be removed.
In an interview on the programme ‘On Fire with Easwaran Rutnam’ Ratnayake said that the electricity tariff hike and the contraction of the economy has resulted in the demand for electricity dropping drastically. He said the drop in demand would not help the loss-making Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) which is attempting to recover its losses through the tariff hike.
“These are the basic things that these stupid politicians do not understand.they do not understand economics, they do not understand accountancy.they know only politics,and I think the present politicians don’t even know how to play politics,” he said.
Ratnayake said that a decision taken in 2014 to reduce the cost of electricity by 25 per cent was also another “stupid, ignorant” move by politicians. The PUCSL Chairman also said that the benefit of the current improvement in the exchange rate and the drop in the cost of raw materials should be passed on to the consumers.
As a result, he had requested the CEB to submit a proposal to reduce the electricity tariffs.
However, he says the CEB has responded saying that another revision is likely and that it could even be another increase in tariffs. Ratnayake claimed mismanagement has resulted in the CEB continuing to incur losses and being unable to cover its costs even with the last tariff increase.
Meanwhile, Ratnayake, who had backed Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the presidency, said he now regrets the decision adding that the former President had “no common sense”.
Two air passengers attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs. 210 million concealed among vehicle spare parts, were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (May 15).
The suspects, a 26-year-old from Grandpass, Colombo, and a 46-year-old from Rambukwella, Kandy, had arrived from Dubai on Emirates flight EK-650 at 8:30 am.
Both individuals are believed to be couriers operating on behalf of local businessmen, frequently transporting goods from abroad.
Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) – Wimal Weerawansa has stated that while it took 76 years for the price of a salt packet to reach Rs.60, the current government managed to raise the price to Rs. 400 within just seven months.
He made these remarks yesterday (May 15) during a media briefing held at the NFF headquarters in Colombo.
Weerawansa heavily criticized the current government, saying that although it operates under the banner of a so-called “renaissance”, it is in fact a government that fails to take any meaningful decisions.
“It took 76 years for a packet of salt to cost Rs.60. However, within 07 months, this government had raised the price to Rs.350 – Rs.400. This is the drama of the so-called renaissance.”
He also ridiculed the government’s narrative that the salt shortage is somehow part of a shift toward healthy eating habits.
Weerawansa emphasized that the current crisis reflects the government’s incompetence and insensitivity to the grave economic hardships faced by the people.
No salt produced this year – Lanka Salt Chairman
Meanwhile, Chairman of Lanka Salt Ltd. – Mr. D. Nandana Thilaka has stated no salt has been produced this year due to continuous adverse weather and rainfall.
He said that this adverse weather conditions has affected not only Hambantota but many other salt producing areas including Elephant Pass.
He further explained that in 2024, the company had planned to produce 125,000 MT of salt, but adverse weather conditions only allowed for the production of 40,000 MT.
Usually, salt harvesting starts in March every year, but the poor weather conditions have hindered this, according to the chairman.
While there has been a shortage of salt crystals in the market, table salt stocks remain unaffected, he clarified.
He further stated that Lanka Salt Ltd. had issued 100,000 packets of 400g table salt to Lanka Sathosa on May 14, and another 100,000 packets were to be issued yesterday (May 15).
The National Fertilizer Secretariat has launched an islandwide investigation to identify and remove substandard fertilizer from the local market.
The probe is being carried out through district Assistant Directors islandwide.
Director of the secretariat – Mr. Chandana Lokuhewage states that the investigation commenced following the recent raid of substandard fertilizer in the Polonnaruwa area.
Police had seized 1,565 bags of urea fertilizer during the raid in Siripura, Polonnaruwa.
Samples from the seized stock are to be sent to Colombo for laboratory testing, Lokuge confirmed.
12 suspects arrested in this regard have been remanded until May 28 after they were produced before the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate’s Court.
