Rs. 1 m for next of kin of those who die from electrocution due to defects in CEB’s power system

Thursday, 3 December 2020 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister says talks held with SLIC for insurance scheme
Compensation also to be paid for household goods damaged due to power outages
Standardisation of streetlights which costs state Rs. 2 b each year

By Chandani Kirinde

Compensation amounting to Rs. 1 million is to be paid to the next of kin of persons whose death is caused by electrocution due to defects in the CEB’s power system, Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma said on Monday.

He said the Ministry has already initiated discussions in this connection with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC).

He said discussions were also held with SLIC to introduce an insurance scheme to cover the losses incurred by damage to household appliances due to power outages.

The Minister disclosed the above at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Power held in Parliament on Monday.

The Minister also instructed the respective officials to initiate a procedure to inform consumers a week ahead when there is a power cut due to maintenance.

It was also decided at the Committee meeting to formalise the process of supplying streetlights to the areas belonging to the local Government authorities and to establish a standard for the streetlights.

The CEB spends Rs. 2 billion a year on streetlights. The Committee also focused on the need to install solar powered streetlights in areas where electric streetlights cannot be installed.

Attention was also drawn to the need of establishing a formal system and a process that would not inconvenience consumers in the installation of solar panels throughout the country.

State Minister of Solar Power, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Duminda Dissanayake stated that the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority will initiate a regulatory process for this purpose.

Dissanayake disclosed that a sum of Rs. 100 million will be provided under the Indian Loan Scheme for the provision of solar power kits to state-owned enterprises.

The aim is to gradually reduce the large amount of money spent on electricity bills by state institutions. A program has also been proposed to earn an income by renting out the roofs of Government institutions to install solar power kits.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Parliamentarians Sarathi Dushmanth, B.Y.G. Ratnasekera, Samanpriya Herath, Charles Nirmalanathan, Secretary to the Ministry of Power Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the State Ministry Secretary Hemantha Samarakoon and other officials were also present at the meeting.