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| Sunday, 9 October 2005 |
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News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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CEB recovers
Rs. 111m from power pirates
by Shanika Sriyananda The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which has sunk deeply into debt, has recovered Rs. 111 million, including the fines imposed by Courts, from power pirates, who steal electricity by using hooks and by-passing CEB meters during May 1, 2004 to September 30, this year. Over 1,323 people were netted by the CEB Special Flying Squad which carried combined raids recently, Manager Flying Squad Ruban Wickamaarachchi told the 'Sunday Observer' that in 2003 the CEB collected Rs. 26 million from power pirates and the present recovery is more than four times the previous recovery. "Court cases have been filed against these thieves and most of them have been convicted by the Courts. Two persons from Anuradhapura have been sent behind bars", he said. Wickramaarachchi said that there were 10 Provincial Council members, a former Pradeshiya Sabbha Chairman, hoteliers, owners of welding plants, garment factory owners and residents among the power pirates. "Power piracy is high in the Western Province and the highest revenue (Rs.
8 million) from power piracy was recovered from Ratmalana in September. We
do combined raids even in the North and East with the assistance of the
Police", he added. According to Wickramaarachchi, they carry out raids on
public complaints and following its own investigations. |
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