• Consumers  allowed to settle arrears in monthly instalments

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

The total amount of defaulted electricity tariff during the recent 41- day lockdown period has been estimated at Rs. 44 billion, Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge told Parliament yesterday. 

Responding to a question raised by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman, the Minister said the government has decided to allow the consumers to settle the due amounts in monthly instalments.

“The government has decided to allow those who have defaulted power traffic to settle the bills in 12 monthly instalments. However, they will have to pay their monthly electricity bills separately while settling the arrears,” the Minister said. The Minister said CEB will continue to supply electricity through underground cables, as it is safer and less expensive. “Providing power by erecting poles and connecting them through wires is more costly,” he said.

“Consumers will have to pay only the cost of laying cables when obtaining a power supply,” he added.

• CEB will continue to supply electricity through underground cables, as it is safer and less expensive