Deposit Rs. 13mn for uninterrupted power for Kandy Esala Perahera: CEB tells Nilames

16 July 2023 11:48 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 37 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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MP Lakshman Kiriella said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed the Nilames and organizers of the Kandy Esala Perahera to deposit a sum of Rs. 13 million in order to supply an uninterrupted power supply for the festival.

“The Dalada Perahera is a festival which is conducted with State sponsorship. This request is unprecedented,” Kiriella said, requesting the government to supply power free of charge to the festival as usual.

“It was difficult to read the numbers. I have never seen an electricity bill like this,” he said.

This year’s Kandy Esala Perahera festival will commence on August 17 with the traditional "Kap" planting ceremony at the four Maha Devalayas.

Comments - 37

William Sunday, 16 July 2023 12:16 PM

A precedence has already been created. The conduct of the world famous Kandy Dalada Esala Perahera could be in the balance. What a situation?

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sam Sunday, 16 July 2023 12:51 PM

If money is not deposited, no electricity

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Kevin Sunday, 16 July 2023 01:17 PM

Nothing is free Mr Kirella, someone somewhere pays of it. I am sure the Nilemes can afford to pay it from all the donations they get. In fact where does all this money go

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Government cannot sponser elephant abuse procession Sunday, 16 July 2023 06:02 PM

Electricity cannot be provided free for people in Kandy. State sponsorship to make elephants suffer is appalling. This first step of charging for the cost for the Nilame orgainsed elephant abuse procession is good.

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Reformist Sunday, 16 July 2023 01:25 PM

Why should only poor consumers have to pay electricity bills? Electricity bill is for everyone using electricity, not only some selected. All temples churches and mosques should pay for celectricity. If the followers of those religions are willing to contribute, let them pay.

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Poor should not pay for Kandy Nilame vadde Sunday, 16 July 2023 06:07 PM

Nilames and religious leaders of Kandy must believe they can ride on the backs of the public with no consequence. Sri Lanka is modern now, and not bowing down to Nilames. No one outside of Kandy who believes the Kandyan way is better. Sinhala in other areas, upcountry Tamils, Northern Tamils, Muslims all see the Kandyan as boru show.

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Help the ailing nation Sunday, 16 July 2023 01:27 PM

These are difficult times to everyone in the nation, especially for the poor. This is not right time to spend lavishly to celebrate festivals. Kiriella knows it and he is trying hook on to the young minister Kanchna asking for free electricity. He should know better. This is the type political worms we have! Adding misery to the ailing economy.

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Something is cooking Sunday, 16 July 2023 05:00 PM

First it was animal cruelty. Now money for power supply.

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Jayantha Sunday, 16 July 2023 05:06 PM

Sajith and kiriella are jokers and guys with freebie ideas. You cannot develop a country with such ideas.

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collect Sunday, 16 July 2023 05:20 PM

a very good decision -nothing should be given free specially for those who can afford and have massive daily collection

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Punchi Sunday, 16 July 2023 05:43 PM

Can we get India, China, the EU etc to sponsor this event and pay for the electricity. After all much of our productive activity is funded by overseas money. Alternatively electricity is a colonial introduction to our country. Prior to this the festival was conducted with no electricity

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Patriot Sunday, 16 July 2023 07:00 PM

Government sponsored means not coming from MPs' pockets. We are okay if you guys are paying for it. Otherwise no.

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Peminda Sunday, 16 July 2023 07:08 PM

Kiriella playing to the gallery. SJB the party looking to ride on handing out freebies. Arn't these institutions sufficiently resourced by benefactors and devotees to pay their bills rather than being reduced to begging by these cheap self-serving opportunistic politicians.

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Nation Sunday, 16 July 2023 07:34 PM

Indeed a precedence has already been created. It is time to put an end to all kinds of precedences!!

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Ajith Thamboo Sunday, 16 July 2023 08:23 PM

Wrong practices in the past should be corrected. If government sponsor the Kandy Esala Perahera, then it has to sponsor all the Peraheras and then it has to equal to all other religions as well. The organizers should pay all the expenses in the future.

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Tavisha Udupihille Sunday, 16 July 2023 08:31 PM

No wonder the CEB is running at a loss when idiots expect electricity to be given free. Best to privatise the CEB . That will stop politicians from demanding free electricity for anyone

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Political interference ruining the country Sunday, 16 July 2023 10:25 PM

Politician can still make private company give donation. Recently Lanka IOC made 200 million donation. Political interference is rife in this country, in every facet, including in sports.

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Religious groups can fund their activities from donation Sunday, 16 July 2023 08:31 PM

The Nilames and organizers of the Kandy Esala Perahera are of no interest to me. They will not benefit myself or my family. I pay for my electricity use and do not want to subsidise use of electricity by religious group with my money. It is corruption of free society when religious group gets subsidy paid for by the public. Religious groups can fund their activities from donation, or not do them at all.

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Shariq Sunday, 16 July 2023 08:57 PM

I am sorry but the taxpayers shouldn't be burdened by this and if you want to have anything the government nor the people should be held liable. This is a good move, sorry SJB you are wrong on this. This is a shameless attempt by SJB to win brownie points with the Buddhists.

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Ramesh Sunday, 16 July 2023 09:00 PM

Don't make big noise Mr.Kriella. If you think it's unfair why not SJB foot the bill? If Nilames uses electricity as the other people living in Sri Lanka they too have to follow the same procedure. By the way why not IMF help in this situation?

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VJ Sunday, 16 July 2023 09:03 PM

This politician is trying earn political mileage. The temple is very rich and can afford the bill. All the donations paid is for such expenditures.

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D ll Gunasekera Sunday, 16 July 2023 09:17 PM

I suggest we must stop all those religious festivals which financed by bankrupt nation until 2048 . Then we are developed country as our president assumes.I think we all Sri Lankans are religious enough with or without having those festivities for a show.

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Chan Sunday, 16 July 2023 10:02 PM

Nothing is free....fair enough decision...no one should benefit from public....long overdue

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Chan Sunday, 16 July 2023 10:04 PM

Let us don't put religion as first priority...as a country let's face the reality.... there are enough people who can pay for the electricity bills... including the politicians who has made enough money through their dealings

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SJB putting religion ahead to try cause more losses to CEB Sunday, 16 July 2023 10:22 PM

How many years CEB running at losses, especially during Yahapalayana government? Country is now broke, and CEB trying to keep breaking even. Yet SJB idiots seems more interested in perahara than the costs being put in the CEB. How can perahara be so important as to need 13.3 million public funds (by way of government to pay CEB).

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Kumara Ilangasinghe Sunday, 16 July 2023 10:35 PM

Good decision by the CEB. Temple is very wealthy. Why burden the public who are struggling to live

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Jonathan Sunday, 16 July 2023 11:26 PM

Sajith and kiriella are as usual jokers, proved Diyawadana Nilame this evening when he said this notification is given to them EVERY YEAR and they pay the amount. He said THIS YEAR TOO they will make the payment as usual. Hahahahahahahahaha SJB.

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Mahila Monday, 17 July 2023 01:55 AM

April Fool's Joke - apologies wrong date!!!???

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Ravanan Monday, 17 July 2023 05:27 AM

If supporting politicians and their family members are forced to pay every freebie they wish on religious traditions, we'd hear a different tune

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Sirimal Monday, 17 July 2023 06:40 AM

Very good move. Otherwise these nilames rob all the income of the maligawa.

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Ranjith B Monday, 17 July 2023 07:10 AM

CEB has to cover its expenses and this is the correct thing.

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DBS Lumbini Monday, 17 July 2023 07:24 AM

How much Dollars come in procession ?

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K.P. Ratnayake (attorney-at-law) Monday, 17 July 2023 07:32 AM

This is another Alert for electricity consumers that the electricity charges will be increased after August. 2023.

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Bannis Mama Monday, 17 July 2023 07:35 AM

Again, another Tax requested by Ranil Rajapakshes' dirty ruthless ruling, definitely Ranil is asking for troubles means Aragalaya-2.

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D Perera Monday, 17 July 2023 08:54 AM

Tradition in Sri Lanka must go on !!!

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citizen Monday, 17 July 2023 01:19 PM

for this money you can install cctv systems in 10 schools for free to fight the crimes against children

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Buddhist Monday, 17 July 2023 03:54 PM

SJB has got it wrong on this. Maligawa has to pay full price for the electricity and other services including the cost of having police and other security forces during perahara.

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