The Sri Lankan Parliament witnessed a crucial session this morning as the debate on the parliamentary motion to remove Janaka Ratnayake from his post as the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) commenced. The date for the debate was set by the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, and is scheduled to take place from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm today.
The motion against Janaka Ratnayake has been presented under Section 7 of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act. The debate arises following a series of disagreements between Ratnayake and Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, encompassing various issues such as electricity tariff revisions and the duration of power cuts.
Expressing his disapproval of the proposal to oust him, Janaka Ratnayake addressed the media on the eve of the parliamentary debate (May 23) and asserted that the debate was politically motivated. He accused the government of attempting to undermine the autonomy of independent commissions, expressing concerns over potential interference in their functioning.
