Only around 12,000 places of worship get electricity bills over Rs. 3,990: Kanchana

20 September 2022 02:28 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Claiming that only about 12,000 religious places are getting electricity bills over Rs. 3,990 out of the total of 48,682 such places of worship, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said plans are afoot to introduce solar power for such places.

He told Parliament that only 12,586 religious places were getting electricity bills over Rs. 3,990 even after the tariff revision.

"A total number of 48,682 religious places are provided with connections so far. About 36,000 such places are getting a maximum bill of Rs. 3,990 even after the tariff revision. A total of 15,195 religious places are using less than 30 units and getting a monthly bill of Rs 330. Some 11,151 religious places have to pay Rs. 1,260 as monthly bill now," he said responding to a question by SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma.

The Minister said state minister of power and Energy Indika Anurudda was entrusted with the task to initiate a project to introduce a solar power project to the 12, 586 religious places, utilizing the US$ 100 credit line from India.

He also said steps would be taken to import solar panels from India and China on credit line to facilitate the places of worship and low income families.

MP Mannapperuma said Rs. 60,000 as electricity bill is being paid by Parliament monthly and questioned as to why Parliament is not powered by solar panels.

The Minister said steps would be taken to install solar panels in separate lands or government buildings and some buildings which are not suitable to install solar panels.

MP Kumar Welgama said certain Buddhist monks who are travelling in V8s are worried about electricity tariffs and said the CEB should not provide electricity at a loss. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

Comments - 19

Lank Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:39 PM

In many countries government give free basic needs of places of worship and in some countries salary of religious leaders are paid by the government ...yet our country cannot give any subsidiary for our places of worship . Government tries to exploit every avenue to generate income and yet; MPs have salary increase and all facilities at public expense.. all religious leaders must stand up to the government and demand free electricity to all places of worship .After they do this service for public

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Kumar Wednesday, 21 September 2022 07:03 AM

Can you name the countries that pay the clergy as well as deliver free electricity. I can assure it is not the US or UK.

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Cugan Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:48 PM

Places of worships mean only pansals.not the churches,mosques, kovils......in Kurunthamali in mullativu district no Sinhalese building vihara ,so this too get discounted tarrif, we public foot the bill

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ravin Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:50 PM

Most places are over illuminated. Encourage expert advice may help to reduce consumption.

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ravin Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:50 PM

Most places are over illuminated. Encourage expert advice may help to reduce consumption.

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No more tax man Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:59 PM

Please don't subsidy electricity bill of any religious place as it has to pay by poor people of this country

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Joseph Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:59 PM

why should the public pay for installing solar power to these religious places. Surely if the electricity bill is as high as they claim, the revenue of these places also must be high.

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Russel Harmmer Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:03 PM

Introducing Solar Power to religious places will take another 10 hears. forget about it and reduce the rates for electricity and water - to the poor masses too in general.

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Sippi Sulthan Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:07 PM

You will have to reverse your decision Kanchana work out plans to reduce the Electricity rates otherwise, 90% will not pay the bills.

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No Electricity Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:37 PM

So in short, one religious place for every 500 people?

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Against subsidy for religion Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:43 PM

Even providing solar power is a subsidy. Let the public know how much the previous subsidy to religious places were, and how those subsidy if continued would make the own bills even higher. The temples are doing gimmick power shutdown because they can't get donation enough. Those places are over extended and should not get back into place of doing what's practical instead of being of the mindset, subsidy, which in effect cost on others like a loan is the right way. Surely there is something in buddism itself not be be burdening others for your own want of show? India should be infuriated that the $100 million credit line/loan from them is being used not to provide electricity for the needy but temples. Not for providing for hospital, but for temples. How can India watch such misuse.

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Rohitha Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:43 PM

I salute the minister and other MPs including Kumar Welgama for showing up and standing up to those persons claiming that placed religious worship should effectively be subsidised by the general public by providing it services below cost. This also applies to any and all politicians too who don't.pay their dues on time. Cut off and disconnect their supply promptly. No free riders please.

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Wrong, Wrong wrong Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:50 PM

Indian credit line being used for providing for temple electricity needs. Appalling. There are many in the North, East, South and upcountry without electricity. The credit line should be used to provide for citizens. The rich businessman, and others who want to show off their wealth can fund for template solar needs. It is corruption of the credit line for using it provide for Buddhist temple.

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Monk Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:50 PM

The rich dayakayas can get solar panels installed at temples instead of providing posh cars to the monks.

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NightOwl Tuesday, 20 September 2022 06:34 PM

Places of worship should be taken care by the devotees. Government is there to serve the people. Religious places of all faith were misusing the cheap electricity to illuminate the premises as it brings down divinity and air condition the massive sq.ft area 24x7.

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Samantha Hetti Tuesday, 20 September 2022 06:51 PM

Total waste of money of the Indian donation providing for temple when there are citizens who could benefit far more. Next thing, the credit line will run out unexpected fast as vastly over sized solar panels are provided to the religious places. This is outright fraud on the Indian credit line meant for the needy.

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Food first religious place last Tuesday, 20 September 2022 06:54 PM

If China provided a credit line then it would be clear it could not be used in this way. The Indian donation shows the short shortsightedness or otherwise lack for understanding of how corrupt or country is, and how easily funds for a good cause are diverted for wasteful purpose.

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Dee Tuesday, 20 September 2022 09:18 PM

Cut their electricity! Then the loyal devotees can provide light and be part of the almsgiving. That too is a Good deed. Considering the volume of money that runs in!

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Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 21 September 2022 08:57 AM

Go for solar. Use donations from those who want to go to heaven after death. CEB should disconnect electricity and take legal action against those who do not pay. These guys have money for everything except electricity. They have money to buy luxury cars, build luxury temples , live in luxury, lead public protests etc.

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