Public servants should conserve electricity

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The waste of millions of rupees worth of electricity by many public and private sector institutions was criticised by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) at a media briefing held in Colombo on Friday.

According to the PUCSL, employees at many Government sector institutions pay scant regard towards saving electricity and are in the habit of keeping air-conditioners and light bulbs switched on throughout the day even when no one is engaged in work.

Addressing the media briefing, PUCSL Chairman, Jayatissa de Costa said that wastage of electricity is a crime.

"It is the sole responsibility of officials in higher positions in public institutions to urge their staffers to stop this wastage and help the Government's endeavour of saving energy," he said.

He said households too could help the energy-saving program by avoiding the frequent use of high voltage bulbs, air-conditioners, irons and other high-powered electrical gadgets.

In response to a question raised at the briefing, de Costa said a few months ago, the PUCSL received information that Rs. 70,000 per day was spent by the Supreme Courts Complex in Colombo to operate its central air-conditioning system.

Chairman, De Costa said the Education Department too could help the Government's energy-saving program by introducing non-iron uniform material for schoolchildren.