Power piracy to rise during Vesak

by Mohammed NAALIR

Power piracy could rise during Vesak. There will also be a surge in electricity consumption in addition to power piracy, a spokesman for the Power and Energy Ministry said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is experiencing huge losses every month due to power piracy. Any instances of piracy should be notified to the CEB Flying Squad on 2422259, he said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board Flying Squad Officers apprehended 345 people last month in various parts of the country for power piracy. Fines amounting to Rs. 21.3 million were collected, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said that power pirates were nabbed for tampering with metres and tapping electricity. Three-hundred-and-thirty-one pirates were arrested and fines amounting to Rs. 21.5 million were imposed by the Courts in January. The Ministry said that there was a sharp drop in electricity piracy in February but it increased during the festive season.