Don't increase electricity' rates, ban late TV shows to save power

by Ananda Kannangara

When the Sunday Observer sought the views of the public about the imminent increase in the electricity bill, a female doctor, in a government hospital in the Sabaragamuwa Province, who wish to remain anonymous wanted the authorities not to increase tariff, since it will worsen the living conditions of estate workers, labourers and the majority downtrodden people.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Senevirtane said no fixed percentage in the increase has so far been announced.

"But, some increases could be expected in view of the high percentage of increase in diesel prices," he said.

However, the Minister assured that the Government has no intention of increasing the electricity bill to the maximum and further the burden on consumers.

Attorney-at-Law, Suranimala Tennekoon said that parliamentarians were using electricity lavishly at their official residences since the cost is borne by the taxpayers.

"I request the Government to charge a certain percentage from parliamentarians for the electricity they consume at their official bungalows and also their gardens during the whole night,".

A mother of three and housewife, Lakshmi Dodangoda of Pannipitiya said at a time when the Cost of Living (CoL) has sky-rocketed and 80 per cent low income groups in the country are facing severe economic hardships, it is not ethical for the CEB to increase electricity bills.

"I suggest the Government to stop unnecessary expenditure they spend on parliamentarians and divert that colossal sum of money to grant subsidy for diesel".

School teacher, Sumanawathi de Costa of Akmeemana in the Southern Province said that several Local Government institutions in her area were in the habit of wasting electricity due to their inefficiency and negligence.

"Some days street lights are burning from 5 pm until 7 am the following day".

"When I inquired a Pradeshiya Sabha worker about their inability of switching on the street lights around 6 am and switching off them around 5.30 am, he said they were engaging in official work only during the period between 7 am and 5 pm".

She said she also informed the matter to the Divisional Secretary, but no positive response received.

Father of two children and hotelier, F.R. Premasiri of Padukka was against the Government's decision of increasing the electricity tariffs and requested the President to reduce the Cabinet of Ministers to thirty.

"If so, that colossal sum of money can be utilised to pay the subsidy on diesel, consumed by CEB to activate thermal power plants,". Managing Director of a garment factory of Ruwanwella, Dimuthu Karunanayaka requested the Government to refrain from increasing electricity bills.

"Our factory is running at a loss and more than 90 workers left and joined another factory recently and now we are not in a position even to pay for electricity.

He said like himself, many more factories and industries would suffer if the electricity tariff is increased.

Owner of a tea factory, Farhan Buharathy of Bandarawela asked the CEB to encourage the consumers to use CFL bulbs, so that the electricity consumption will come down to a greater extent.

He said he was able to bring down his factory electricity bill from the time he started using CFL bulbs.

"To achieve this objective, the CEB must sell low cost CFL bulbs in the open market and through its area offices".

Tony Premasiri asked the Sports Ministry to ban all sporting events that are played under lights, since it too badly affects electricity consumption.

A university student, Romesh Nanayakkara was totally against the Government's decision of increasing electricity tariff and said that the Government has forgotten that people at present pay an extra

Rs. 9 for one litre of fuel being used by the CEB for generating power.

Ex. banker, Dr. Raja Hettihewa of Gampaha said that there was no need to increase bills if the CEB curb massive malpractice and corruption taking place within the Board.

Chairman, Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha, D.H. Buddhadasa said he was confident that the CEB would not put much burden on people by increasing electricity rates.

"I think the Government will have to make some changes in electricity rates and in other essential services due to a colossal sum of money currently they spend on the war".

He said under such circumstances, people too must bear with President Mahinda Rajapaksa's sole endeavour of eliminating terrorism from the country.

Pradeshiya Sabha member and Deshamanya Sarath Sumanasekara was not happy with the increase in electricity from next month.

"I think people are facing immense hardships due to the escalating prices in essential commodity items and therefore I request the Government not to put further burden on people by increasing electricity rates."

He requested the Finance Ministry to grant a fuel subsidy to the Ceylon Electricity Board, So that they could maintain the current rates unchanged.

A businessman, Dinesh Subramaniam of Wellawatta requested the CEB to impose a three-hour power cut from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. in order to save electricity.

Bandula Jayawardene of Bambalapitiya said it was an injustice caused to majority poor community, if electricity tariffs are increased at this juncture.

"I request the Government to ban late night television shows, musical shows, night sporting events, highway illuminations etc.. in order to save electricity".

Pic: Vipula Amarasinghe