Government institutions, private sector and domestic consumers have ignored the payment of Rs 1,689 million owed to the Ceylon Electricity Board until September, said the CEB issuing a press release yesterday.
From the date of the issue of the electricity bill, the consumer is given one month to make the payment.
Red notices issued thereafter are valid for a further week. Considering the non use of this opportunity, the electricity board will disconnect the supply of electricity if payments due for 2011 is not received by December 15.
According to the CEB, five percent of the amount should be paid directly by the government institutions and another 40 percent should be paid for street lighting. Due to the shortage of rain, the CEB has been forced to rely heavily on the generation of thermal energy at a huge cost. 80 percent of the electricity needs is supplied through thermal power, at a cost of Rs 20-25 per unit.
However, the consumer is charged only three rupees per unit for those who use less than 30 units per month.
Only Rs 7.5 is charged per unit for consumers who use less than 90 units. The government has supplied electricity continuously without exposing the public to any blackouts bearing losses on the sale of each unit of Electricity. The electricity board is facing a risk of a financial crisis due to the non payment of bills by the government, private sector and domestic consumers.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/12/06/news13.asp
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