CEB shocks 'powerful' men

by Shanika Sriyananda

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has recovered over Rs. 130 million from electricity pirates from May to mid-December. Electricity had been pirated using hooks, bypassing CEB metres.

Manager Flying Squad Ruban Wickamaarachchi told the Daily News that over 1,500 people who had pirated electricity for their houses and offices were netted by the CEB's Special Flying Squad which carried out combined raids under CEB General Manager Ranjith Fonseka's instructions.

There were 10 Provincial Council members, a former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, hoteliers, owners of welding plants, garment factory owners, residents and CEB workers themselves among the power pirates. "The CEB collected Rs. 26 million from power pirates in 2003 and the present recovery is more than four times the previous," Wickramaarachchi said.

Flying squad officials have also detected another racket, when tea factory owners in Hatton obtained electricity illegally.

The CEB recovered Rs. 1.5 million and another Rs. 500,000 as fines from the factory owners. Several CEB workers including a linesman, a mechanic and a driver who bypassed meters were also nabbed. "The CEB will take disciplinary action against them," he said. Wickramaarachchi said most power pirates have been convicted by Courts. Two from Anuradhapura have been jailed, he said.

According to Wickramaarachchi, power piracy is high in the Western Province and the highest revenue (Rs. 8 million) from power piracy fines was recovered from Ratmalana in September. The flying squad carry out combined raids even in the North and East with police help.

He said raids are carried on public complaints and its own investigations.