Lower electricity rates for religious institutions from August

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Government has lowered the electricity rates for religious institutions starting from August 1 on the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The new scheme for the reduction of electricity bills is expected to reduce the electricity bills of religious institutions by 50 per cent, the sources at Sri Lanka Electricity Board said.

The President had instructed Power and Energy Minister John Senevirathna to adopt relief measures to cut down the electricity bills from all places of religious worship, sources at Presidential Secretariat said.

The instructions came at a meeting at Temple Trees on Monday between religious leaders and the President.

Accordingly, it has been decided to introduce a concessionary rate of Rs. 12.50 per electricity unit at Buddhist temples, churches, Kovils and mosques for consumption above 181 units in charging electricity bills from them, sources said.

Also, the religious institutions that maintain their electricity consumption under 5,000 units are to get special subsidies under the new scheme.

The electricity subsidy of 90 units given to religious institutions, whose electricity consumption is low, will be increased to 120 units. The Government had taken steps to remove electricity surcharge of 30 per cent from the electricity bill of religious establishments in April.

President Rajapaksa told religious leaders that the Government was committed to protect places of religious worship. The meeting was attended by Most Ven. Walimitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Ven. Kotugoduwe Dhammawasa Thera, Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, Maulavi Niyaz Mohommed, and Hindu and Christian religious dignitaries.