Electricity bills going up

Electricity bills for most people will go up from February 1 despite an assurance in the Budget that the VAT will be removed enabling a reduction of the charges. According to a gazette notification, consumers using more than 60 units of electricity will have to pay more as part of the VAT will be added to the bills.

The average consumer who uses between 61 and 90 units will be charged Rs. 7.50 a unit compared to Rs. 5.10. Those using between 91 and 180 units will have to pay Rs.14 a unit comopared to Rs 12.10 now.

Consumers using more than 180 units will have to pay Rs. 19.80 a unit compared to Rs. 17.30. Consumers using less than 60 units will not be affected by the change.

CEB General Manager D. R. Pullaperuma said that though part of the VAT was being added to the bills most consumers would not be affected.