The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we believe the national energy policy must prioritize uninterrupted, affordable electricity for consumers and the implementation of clean energy, with strong regulation and alignment with national security, to attract domestic and foreign investment through reforms.

¶ 02 We must ask whether the 2025 Electricity Amendment Bill achieves these: uninterrupted, affordable supply and clean energy. In fact, this Bill weakens consumer protection and regulatory mechanisms and narrows space for investment.

¶ 03 We heard Government speakers talk about the 23,000 workers in the sector, yet the Power Minister and officials are not giving time to discuss and protect their rights. Therefore, this is not a Bill that strengthens the sector. In 2002, when reforms began, these Government Members opposed them. In 2024, we opposed a so‑called reform Bill due to its regressive elements. Today’s Bill drags the sector into disaster.

¶ 04 This Government came to power saying it would promote renewables, but is now captured by the thermal and fuel lobbies, destroying renewables deliberately. The best example is “Sahasdanavi”: approval on 31 January 2025 to develop a 300 MW LNG plant was granted on false data—stating generation cost at Rs. 20.15 per unit, assuming diesel at Rs. 110/litre and the dollar at Rs. 195. Even a child knew diesel was Rs. 286 and the dollar around Rs. 300. The PUCSL wrote on 3 April to the Secretary to the Ministry of Power that the data were incorrect. The PUCSL presented three scenarios showing costs per unit at Rs. 35.818, Rs. 43.258, or Rs. 72.11. It is the PUCSL—not us—calling the data wrong, requesting the Cabinet be informed. Yet the Government ignored this and the CEB and LTL signed the PPA for Sahasdanavi in the third or fourth week of April.

¶ 05 You said you would promote renewables; instead you cut the rooftop solar tariff from Rs. 37 to Rs. 27 under the past Government, and now to Rs. 19—an assault on solar. Yet the JVP’s policy promised 2,000 MW of solar within five years. Instead, you misled innocent entrepreneurs who entered solar and left them stranded. Note: 680 entities are registered under the Sustainable Energy Authority; there are around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs; rooftop solar capacity is 1,709 MW, and ground-mounted around 140 MW. Cutting the tariff from Rs. 37 to Rs. 19 has gravely harmed a large community. Many cannot service loans or pay workers; many are exiting.

¶ 06 On the other hand, you break promises to consumers daily. The current President promised on the campaign stage to reduce a Rs. 9,000 bill to Rs. 6,000, and Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 2,000—cutting by 33 percent. After coming to power, you have increased tariffs due to IMF conditions. You promised to renegotiate the IMF program; in the end, you are implementing, to the letter, the very agreement of the previous Government. Hence you could not reduce tariffs by 33 percent, and millions of consumers are adrift.

¶ 07 We state clearly: as a progressive Opposition, the SJB and SJN will prioritize renewables in the national policy and implement them fully and at the highest level.