CEB disconnects power supply of 100,000 electricity bill defaulters

Electricity consumers in Sri Lanka have been hit hard by continuous tariff increase this year amidst high cost of living prompting a large number of them to default their electricity bills.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has disconnected power supply of around 100,000 electricity users who failed to pay their bills and those who are with massive arrears up to now, Power and Energy Ministry sources said.      

Several leading – and privileged – companies and individuals including politicians were among the defaulters with massive arrears of Rs, 4.44 billion in payments on electricity bills outstanding as at 31.03.2022, CEB financial records show. 

According to the CEB, they will restore the power supply of electricity bill defaulters after paying a part of their arrears and agree to pay the balance within a stipulated period.    

However several consumers complained that they will have to pay an additional payment of Rs.3000 plus the arrears to get the power supply again after disconnection.

The defaulters had been given a one-year grace period to pay the arrears in installments and that they would have to continue to pay the monthly electricity bills while paying the arrears, a senior CEB official said. (Bandula)