Power supply to Mihintale disconnected

• CEB said Mihintale temple had run into arrears amounting to Rs. 4.1 million since 2022

By B.G. Chaturanga and Dayaratne Embogama   

Electricity supply to Mihintale sacred city had been disconnected last morning on grounds of payment arrears.  

Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera said it was a political victimization against him for his steadiness in speech.  

“Electricity Board has taken this step at a time when a massive development project in Minintale sacred city is going on. The shrine rooms, the police post, and the archaeological sites in the area would be in the dark. The government should provide immediate protection to the archaeological site if the power supply was disconnected. The resident monks of the temple would be left without water. We are not in a position to pay Rs.3.5 million as claimed by the CEB,” the Thera said. 

 
He requested the CEB to install separate meters for the living quarters of monks, which could be paid.   

Meanwhile, Anuradhapura CEB Regional Engineer J.M.F. Jayawardene said Mihintale temple had run into arrears of electricity bills amounting to Rs. 4.1 million since 2022 and that the Chief Incumbent had been requested to settle it. He said the CEB had to disconnect the power supply yesterday with prior notice.

• The Thera requested CEB to install separate meters for the living quarters of monks, which could be paid