Millionaires among power pirates

by Ananda Kannangara

Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said yesterday that action will be taken to nab power pirates who are on the increase and special squads, have been deployed for the purpose.

“Power pirates are not only poor people, but also millionaires who own large scale factories and other industries,” he said.

Minister Seneviratne told the `Sunday Observer’ that the local authorities were responsible and a directive has already been sent to CEB higher officials to take tough action against those who violate it.

According to CEB rules, adopted under the Government’s energy conservation program, all street lights must be switched on only during the specified 10-hour period between 7.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m.

According to an on-the-spot investigation, carried out by the Ministry’s flying squad recently it has been revealed that street lights in some areas are switched on even before 6.00 p.m. and are not switched off even after 5.00 a.m. daily.

Asked whether the CEB was planning to increase the rates, the Minister said that it would not be a solution to the power wastage.