CEB disregarded PUC directive, overcharged poor consumers – activist

By Anuradha Hiripitiya

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has ignored a directive issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reduce the amount of fine imposed on those who failed to settle their electricity bills.

The PUC has directed that Rs 3,000 charge be reduced to Rs 800 with effect from March 5, 2024. However, the CEB has charged Rs 3,000 for each restoration of power supply till March 31, 2024.

Electricity Users’ Association Sanjiva Dhammika told The Island that in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query submitted to the CEB, during the period March 5 – March 25, electricity had been disconnected to 138,979 consumers and the CEB had charged a record Rs 416,937,000.000 from hapless consumers to restore their connections.

Sanjiva said the PUC should intervene on behalf of the consumers who had been charged Rs 2,200 more than the stipulated amount.The activist said that the overcharged money should be returned to the consumers.