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Sri Lanka to cut power costs by 22.5% from Tuesday

Sri Lanka will cut power prices by 22.5% from Tuesday, the energies regulator said, as the Indian Ocean country attempts to reduce the expense of living for countless people amid its worst monetary crisis in decades.

After the crisis diminished its economy 7.8% in 2022, Sri Lanka enhanced power costs by 75% that September, and by another 66%. the following February, to meet the terms of a $2.9-billion. bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Industries would also see a cut of about 33% in power. tariffs, the regulator included, with poorer users getting a. decrease of about 2,000 rupees ($ 7) in their bills.

We expect this decrease to assist in the renewal of. the economy and help the public get relief, Manjula Fernando,. chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. ( PUCSL), informed reporters on Monday.

The cut will assist Sri Lanka stick to an inflation target of. 5% set by its central bank, experts said, in an economy. anticipated to grow by 3% this year after a space of 2 years.

Together with greater taxes, a weaker rupee and fuel cost. boosts, the power cost hikes had pressed inflation in the. nation of 22 million to a record high of 70% in September 2022.

But it decreased to 1.7% in June, assisted by a price cut of. 21.9% in March this year.

Sri Lanka's four-year Extended Fund Center with the IMF,. finalised in March in 2015, needs the nation to raise. taxes, eliminate subsidies that have struck the power sector, and cut. public sector financial obligation.

(source: Reuters)