Govt. withdraws electricity amendment bill

The draft bill that was submitted to amend the Sri Lanka Electricity Act has been withdrawn.

Leader of the House, Minister Lakshman Kiriella informed Parliament that the Attorney General has informed that the Electricity Amendment draft bill is contrary to the constitution.

Proposed amendments to the Electricity Act 2009 are being pushed back by the stakeholders with the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy objecting to the changes.

The amendments to the Act affect the deposits charged by the licensee to connect to the grid, approvals given by the Public Utilities Commission, and feed-in tariff rates paid to non-conventional renewable energy resources.

Member of the Committee Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said they have objected to some of the clauses.

The amendments come following the approval given by Cabinet to change the Electricity Act to facilitate rooftop solar, which was being held back as the existing legislation requires competitive bidding for every case.

However, the proposed amendments will also affect other aspects of the Electricity Act, including powers vested with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) which have been opposed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee as well as other stakeholders.

During Sectoral Oversight Committee meetings held this week, members had opposed the amendments, with Non-Cabinet Minister Harsha De Silva making strong objections to removing powers of PUCSL to approve power purchase agreements signed for emergency purchases and government-to-government contracts.