CEB gets tough with power pirates

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Following sudden raids in Trincomalee Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) flying squad nabbed 171 persons in two days who were using electricity unlawfully,

They were fined Rs 1.6 million and also had to pay Rs 1.3 million to the CEB in lieu of the financial loss caused to the CEB due to electricity tapping. The CEB flying squad on Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s instructions had been conducting periodic search operations throughout the country to nab power pirates.

The main objective is to convert the Power and Energy Ministry to a profit earning entity since the Ministry is presently running at a loss.

Therefore, several steps have been taken to do away with fraud and corruption in the Ministry. Tampering electricity meters, obtaining electricity by unlawful means such as by using hooks have caused immense loss to the CEB.

Those who are liable for such incidents will be brought before Courts through countrywide raids conducted by the flying squads. The Power and Energy Ministry has appealed to the public to inform the CEB flying squad regarding any unlawful electricity usage, considering it as a national service.

The informants can use the hotline 1987 to give information, a Ministry official said.