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A few months ago there was a news item in the Financial Times of your paper about Sri Lanka Telecom-CDMA connections. According to that, the actual cost SLT has to bear for a single unit of a CDMA is less than Rs. 9,000 and the Telecom Regulatory Commission (TRC) has advised them to reduce the price and anticipated that the SLT would react positively.

Recently I wanted to purchase a CDMA phone, and was shocked to hear that it was more than Rs.18,000.

I would like to find out why the SLT-CDMA price is so high. I would also like to find out their monthly rental, their charges and other facilities with regard to a CDMA connection.

From our inquiries from SLT, the price of a CDMA phone is Rs. 18,400. However, the SLT official refused to comment on the reduction of prices, as the matter is before court.

The monthly rental is Rs. 569.25 and the call charges are normal call charges. Other facilities of a CDMA connection are free CLI, IDD and SMS.

The supply of electricity is in a pathetic state in our area. Even during the day one is not sure at what time it will be interrupted.

During the night, particularly between 6 and 9 p.m. it is quite bad. The power may be cut at any time, with the interruption extending even up to one hour. We don't know at what time it will stop, and how long the stoppage will go on. This state of affairs is causing us untold hardships. One is unable to plan any activity in the night, especially at a time when kerosene too is scarce in the area. This has continued for the past six months.

I understand that the engines that generated power have gone out of order, and at present some low-capacity engines are being utilised, and that too in the midst of a prevailing shortage of diesel. It is further said that resources are not available locally to repair the engines. Assistance from Colombo is being awaited, which has not been forthcoming so far.

Will the authorities in Colombo look into these problems with sympathy and initiate steps to restore a proper power supply?

The Deputy-General Manager, CEB Jaffna said that there is only one planned interruption carried out to save energy, and that would not be for more than 45 minutes everyday. According to him, the power interruption in three transferring lines; in Point Pedro, Jaffna town and Chavakachcheri will be for 45 minutes between 6.45 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. daily. This is the only planned interruption and all the others are beyond their control, he said.

According to him plans are underway to increase machine capacity. He had even made an appeal to the government in this regard.

However, he said that although several appeals were made for public cooperation to save energy, these efforts have been futile. According to him, there are around 65,000 consumers in Jaffna, and if they can switch off two 40w electric bulbs per day within this time, they will be able to save more than 50 mw. Then people in the area will not have to experience any power cuts.

Leaking overhead tank

There is a leak from the overflow down pipe at the 'P' block of the Anderson Flats. This overflow starts around 3 p.m. after the residents have closed all the taps and continues till morning, daily.

Various officials have been contacted, but no action has been taken. When there is a water shortage in various parts of the country, this is a colossal wastage.

The People's Forum contacted the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Greater Colombo office regarding the matter and were told that although the Water Board is not responsible for the maintenance of the flats, given the water wastage, they would intervene to take necessary action. There is a separate section within the Water Board called the Non Revenue Water Section (NRW) to look into water wastage.

According to an official from the Water Board, the main reason for this overflow is that there is no ball valve in the overhead tank. Also there is a need to replace the ladders, which lead to the tank. To get this work done, a tender has now been called and action will be taken soon, the official added.