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by SUREKHA GALAGODA

There is a surge in demand for energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) as a result of high electricity tariffs coupled with the newly imposed Value Added Tax on electricity consumption exceeding 30 kilowatts.

This has resulted in increased CFL imports, mainly by unscrupulous traders who sell CFLs at wayside stalls at prices ranging between Rs 75-100 each. The main purpose of using CFLs is saving energy. An energy efficient CFL can save up to 80 per cent of energy when compared to a normal bulb.

According to a market survey conducted by the Ceylon Electricity Board on lamps sold on the pavement, only one brand out of the 40 brands in the market is energy efficient.

"If consumers want to purchase CFLs, they can do so from one of the 11 reputed suppliers registered with us, under a loan scheme. All products of the suppliers registered with us are tested at the NERD centre and the Katubedda University and are proved to be energy efficient," sources said.

Under the interest-free loan scheme, a customer can purchase four CFLs and pay back the loan in 12 instalments as part of the electricity bill.

According to Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Dr Srilal De Silva, the SLSI is in the process of introducing standards on CFL. "Since there are no standards at the moment, we do not have the authority to inspect the imports of CFLs," he said.

Harendra Jayasuriya, Manager Lighting Products Department of DIMO, the sole agent for Osram CFL, said customers should be cautious when buying such lamps.

He said that sales of Osram CFLs have not been affected due to cheap imports flooding the market, but it is not good for the concept of energy saving as most of these CFLs do not save energy. "If a consumer buys a CFL which does not serve its purpose, he or she will think that all CFLs are bad, not just this particular brand. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the concept of energy saving is not lost due to this reason," he said.

Last year, 800,000 CFLs were imported and the number will definitely be higher this year, according to sources. The cheap imports come mainly from China.

What to look for in a CFL

* Brand name
* Warranty
* Company marketing it
* Replacement procedures
* Life time
* Energy saving percentage

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