PUCSL, CEB and Leco to offer relief package to consumers

By Sandun A Jayasekera   

The power monopolies, the PUCSL, CEB and LECO have decided to offer a range of relief to electricity consumers who have been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic, including a grace period to pay the delayed monthly tariffs and not to discontinue power for default of payments.   

”The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) have taken steps to ensure fairness for electricity consumers in issuing monthly electricity bills and allowing a grace period to pay the monthly bills,” Director Corporate Communication of the PUCSL Jayantha Herath said.   

Accordingly, all bills issued after the curfew was commenced, the final reading of the meter must be issued on a monthly basis and as separate bills for each month, confirming the entitlement of the concessionary rate for the electricity units (prorate basis).   
The grace period given to the consumers to pay the separate bills issued to them will be published by CEB and LECO. Accordingly, there will be no disconnection of electricity with regard to the payment of these bills until the relevant grace period and conditions are announced. The time gap between the last meter reading and the next meter reading can be more than one billing cycle.   

Therefore, the total consumption (units of electricity) for that period will be divided equally for each billing period or month (Confirming prorate basis or concessionary electricity tariff) when issuing bills. With that, the total electricity units consumed by the electricity consumer within a few months can be adjusted and separated for each month in a reasonable manner when preparing bills.   

In the meantime, some customers may have already received an estimated bill without proper reading of the meter. If there is a difference between the units of electricity in the estimated bill and the number of units issued after reading the meter, that difference will be revised after the next bill is read. The consumer will be informed if there are such amendments.   

Electricity connections will not be disconnected in the event of complaints regarding current or future bills that have been issued until the issuance of the bills properly on time. CEB and LECO will resolve such consumer complaints expeditiously. The consumer can also refer their problems to the PUCSL, in the event that the consumer does not agree with the solution provided regarding their electricity 
bill complaint.