'Efforts to conserve energy appreciated'

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

All sections have already made their contribution towards energy conservation in various ways and this should be appreciated, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Minister Ranawaka was addressing the opening ceremonies of several Electricity Consumers Service Centres and Electricity Engineering Offices in the Kegalle district recently.

"In 2011, the daily electricity consumption rate reached its limit between 1,900 - 2,100 megawatts. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) provided 250,000 new electricity connections within the last five months. But the daily electricity consumption rate has not increased and it is still 1,950 megawatts," the minister said.

There are over 100,000 electricity consumers in the Kegalle district. The CEB had established offices to provide an efficient and quality service for electricity consumers. All these offices were established under the directions of Minister Ranawaka. The CEB had allocated over Rs 8 million on these constructions and over 75,000 persons will receive benefits from these projects.

"We are granting subsidies for electricity and it is higher than the Samurdhi subsidy. We have granted a subsidy of Rs 7 billion to the industrial sector and Rs 17 billion for other electricity consumers who are using below 120 electricity units. We should maintain electricity supply continuously without breakdowns," the minister said.