Description

On 16th February Colpety police took over and sealed the office of the Chairperson of the Public
Utilities Commission (PUCSL) as per an order issued by the Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.104
The media spokesman of the Police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa
speaking to the media said that the office was sealed based on a tip off from a person that they
cannot disclose, regarding unlawful activities that is happening within the PUCSL Chairman's
office, that are harmful to the current government. He also said that the office will not be searched
until its chairperson Janaka Rathanayake, currently overseas, returns to the country.In January
2023, Rathnayaka stated that the government cannot increase the electricity tariffs in an ad hoc
manner without the approval of the PUCSL. On 14th February, two days before sealing the
chairperson’s office, the electricity tariff system backed by the government that sought to increase
an additional Rs. 288 billion annually was approved by the majority of the members, despite
Rathnayaka who disagreed and proposed a lesser amount of increase. After returning to the
country, Rathnayake said that he will take legal action for recent price increase without his consent,
and the appointment of a member with conflict of interest, violating the PUCSL Act.