The President summons the utility commission members without the chairman! The commission is split in two! The chairman attends the press conference alone and spills the beans! He declares that he will go to court alone to ensure the commission’s independence! VIDEO

Janaka Rathnayake, PUCSL chairman, says that he seeks the support of the law to protect the independence of the Public Utilities Commission.

He points out that the collective decision has changed after the members of the commission met the President yesterday morning (19).

In a press conference called today (20), Mr. Janaka Ratnayake stated,

“The president said he wanted to meet me. I was waiting. But what happened… met the other members of the commission without me. Our collective decision changed yesterday.”

“They are now saying that as per the Cabinet proposal, the price increase should be implemented soon and then adjusted in the next price revision.”

“I will go to the law and ask for the necessary relief for this. If that is not possible, there is no system. Power rests with the will of the majority.”

“We took a collective decision earlier to discard the cabinet decision and proceed with the electricity board’s price revision.”

“The president has said that this amendment should be made because of the economic situation in the country.”

“I am working to protect the independence of this commission.”