Electricity Tariff Hike is a Violation of the People's Mandate, Says Opposition Leader
14-Jun-2025.
The recent hike in electricity tariffs by the government is a direct violation of the people's mandate, said Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. He stated that this move reflects a disregard for the voice of the people and constitutes an act of deception against the citizens of the nation.
During the presidential election campaign, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had pledged to reduce electricity bills—from LKR 9,000 to LKR 6,000, and the LKR 3,000 bill to LKR 2,000. He had also repeatedly announced from public platforms that electricity tariffs would be reduced by 33%.
Even after the party's historic victory in the general elections, securing 159 seats, this reduction should have been implemented without delay.
However, that promise was not fulfilled. Instead, the government has blatantly breached its election pledges.
The President himself has effectively nullified his prior statements, and the decision to increase electricity tariffs by 15% now blatantly infringes on the rights of electricity consumers across the country, said Sajith Premadasa.
These remarks were made by the Opposition Leader while expressing his views on the electricity tariff hike.
The reason for this tariff increase, he claimed, is to satisfy conditions laid out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release the next tranche of financial assistance.
The IMF has stipulated that to continue receiving extended credit support, electricity tariffs must be raised.
He also highlighted that during the election campaign, the JVP-led coalition had promised in its manifesto to negotiate a new agreement with the IMF.
Yet, upon assuming power, they violated their mandate and continued to implement the very same IMF agreement negotiated by the previous government.
The current government is functioning in complete violation of the people's mandate. It has disregarded the will of the people and sidelined public opinion.
As a result of adhering to the previous administration’s IMF commitments, the country and its citizens are now facing the consequences, Premadasa pointed out.
Instead of increasing electricity tariffs by 15%, the government should have fulfilled its promise of reducing them by 33%.
Until the government fulfills the pledges it made, the United People's Power (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) will raise its voice in unison with electricity consumers.
The party will also engage in democratic forms of protest, added the Opposition Leader.
