Prices tick higher after yet another power bill revision
The second electricity tariff increase in six months has set off price increases in food and beverage and services.
Within hours of the revision, eateries raised the price of a packet of rice and curry by Rs 50, and kottu by Rs 30. Snacks and iced drinks now cost more.
Operators of laundries, motor mechanics, textile company owners as well as hoteliers are all concerned.
The Ceylon Electricity Board announced that the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) approved an increase in electricity tariffs by an average of 66% effective from Wednesday. The charge for the first 30 units under the domestic category which was Rs 8 will rise to Rs 30.
Most business operators say they will increase charges.
Laundry manager, Daniel Bandara who had been in business for six years at
saidbusiness Thimbirigasyaya, charges were raised by 20% this week.
“We anticipated our electricity costs would increase. With the previous increase six months back, my electricity bill reached Rs 150,000.’’
Owners of eateries said their costs will rise, again.
Canteen Owners Association president, Asela Sampath said the price of meals such as kottu, fried rice, and rice packets, will rise by 10%. “An Rs 300 kottu will be sold for Rs 330.’’
Canteens use electrical appliances such as rice cookers and ovens, he said.
Meanwhile, M Nazir, a meat shop owner who has freezers, said that now he pays Rs 16,000 for electricity compared with the Rs 9,000 domestic user bill earlier.
He said his income from the business is not enough to pay higher tariffs.
Peliyagoda resident Mala Gunawathie, who sells lottery tickets, told the Sunday Times that prices of everything have risen. “I cannot afford higher electricity expenses from the daily wage of Rs 1,000 I earn. I have to feed my children.’’
Already, her electricity bill is Rs 4,000 and she said she will not be able to pay more.
The Bakery Owners Association’s president N.K Jayawardena said: “Already 2,000 bakeries out of 7,000 have closed down. We are unable to bear more costs.’’
Bakeries use fridges, electric ovens, and flour mixers, and will have to bear a greater burden, he said.
Hotels of the Hoteliers Association fit into a tariffs category that is at a higher tariff level compared with other industries.
Association president, Shanthi Kumar said the industry should not be subjected to the 67% tariff increase.
“We presented our proposals to the minister of power and energy, Energy authorities as well as PUCSL, but it fell on deaf ears.’’ He said hotel operators cannot restrict guests from using lights and air conditioning.