Power piracy: Face permanent disconnection

by Ananda Kannangara

The Ministry of Power and Energy said yesterday that over 3,400 power pirates had been nabbed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Investigation Unit during the first eleven months of this year and warned that electricity pirates would face a permanent power disconnection if found guilty for the second time.

The main CEB Investigation Unit in Colombo yesterday said that the majority power pirates were in the habit of connecting hooks to power lines and obtaining power at night.

It is reported that people living in shanties are mostly responsible for obtaining power illegally. Some villagers are also in the habit of tapping electricity illegally for various ceremonies.

Some who have legal electricity connections to their homes and business premises are also in the habit of obtaining power illegally.

CEB, Senior Executive Danushka Ramanayaka told the Sunday Observer that strict measures will be taken against power pirates irrespective of their position in society.

He said power pirates will be blacklisted and their power supply will be disconnected permanently if found guilty for the second time.

According to CEB statistics, it recorded a massive loss of Rs. 165 million during the last eleven months of this year due to power piracy.

Power pirates had paid Rs. 36 million as Court fines during this period.