CEB gets tough on power pirates

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has warned electricity consumers against illegal power extraction since it will not only lead to long-standing power supply terminations, but also jail terms along with heavy fines.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, commenting on regular unlawful power extractions by individuals and large-scale private sector business tycoons, said Special Investigation Units have been deployed countrywide to crack down on power pirates.

He said the excellent work of these Special Investigation Units helped the CEB to nab over 1,170 power pirates and earn a record Rs. 23 million last month.

The Minister said not only people in Colombo and the suburbs,

but also those in areas such as Trincomalee, Minneriya, Kilinochchi and Chilaw are involved in illegal power extractions. Commenting on the CEB’s 24th long-service felicitation ceremony at the BMICH last week, Minister Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer that the CEB recorded a huge profit of Rs. 205 million last month after 12 years. The Minister requested the public to make complaints regarding illegal power extractions that are taking place in their areas, so that prompt action could be taken to nab the culprits even at night. According to CEB statistics, a large number of tourist hotels, guest houses, factories, saw mills, rice mills and other industrialists are pirating electricity in a systematic manner, causing heavy losses to the CEB annually.