The Government does not intend to increase electricity tariff or public transport fares, although both the public power and transport sectors are operating at a loss, Minister of Power, Energy and Passenger Transport Management Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.
The minister said it was his intention to make these loss making institutions profitable at the earliest.
Speaking to the media after engaging in religious observances at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, Minister Amaraweera said he was confident that with the necessary reforms, loss making state institutions can be transformed into profit making ventures.
The minister while noting that the government does not intend to burden the public said the government today sells a unit of electricity at Rs.2.60 for low income earners although the cost incurred by the CEB for a unit was Rs.23.
Minister Amaraweera went on to say that he will also initiate probes into frauds and corruption that is said to have taken place at the Ceylon Electricity Board, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Railways Department and if any such misconduct has happened, those responsible will be brought before the law.
The minister stated that these loss making institutions could be made profitable by curbing fraud and corruption, minimizing waste and taking correct decisions without fear or favour at the right time.
“The decisions which caused delays in the past when building new power plants has affected power generation adversely and also has resulted in costs going up,” he added.
(Daily news)