CEB collects Rs 18 m as fines

P P G Sugathadasa - Thihagoda group correspondent

Ceylon Electricity Board Special Investigation Unit officials collected nearly Rs 18 million as fines from illegal power tappers during successful operations carried out throughout the island last month. This amount was made up of Rs 2,464,681.00 as court fines and Rs 15,287,412.00 compensations totalling Rs 17,752,094.00.

According to CEB Special Investigation Unit officers the total number of raids conducted in May this year was 237. Out of them 152 incidents were manipulations of electricity meters and 85 incidents were illegal connections.

According to Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka a colossal amount of income is deprived to the CEB due to thefts of power and many other electricity related offences.

The Ceylon Electricity Board is currently on the brink of being converted into a vibrant and economically stable public utility, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.