CEB recovers Rs. 118 million through fines

Monday, 27 August 2018 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Over 2,000 users involved in tampering for illegal electricity usage

By Manopriya Gunasekara

The Ceylon Electricity Board earned Rs. 118 million through fines imposed on the illegal usage of electricity from its grid network during 2017 alone, Power and Renewable Energy Spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardana told Daily FT.

Over 2,000 cases have been filed against individuals who tampered with the CEB grid to access unmetered electricity following raids conducted island-wide. The CEB earned Rs. 118 million through fines imposed by the courts payable to the institution, Jayawardana said.

“Tampering with the CEB grid for illegal usage of electricity is a punishable offence under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act. It carries both a financial fine and the offender can be given a jail term as well,” Jayawardana said.

According to him, over 3,600 complaints in this regard have been received by the CEB, out of which action was taken against 2,000 offenders following joint raids carried out by Sri Lanka Police and the CEB. The number also includes commercial establishments which have been found guilty of unmetered usage of electricity from the CEB grid.

The loss to the grid through tampering is significant, he said, seeking the help of the public to take action against errant users.

Illegal usage may include both tampering with metres as well as direct unmetered access from the grid, he said.

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