<P>Sri Lanka, only South Asian country to provife 24 hour electricity
[February 18 2011]

<P>Sri Lanka is the only country in the SAARC region to provide 24 hour electory, Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said today. 

<P>Addressing a meeting at the Galle Face Hotel to unvail his ministry's vision and plans for the year, Minister Ranawaka said none of the South Asian countries other than Sri Lanka provides 24-hour electricity to entire country. 

<P>“Even India does not provide uninterrupted electricity supply, other than in cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai“ he said.

<P>The Minister said that there could not be any increase in domestic electricity bills since 2008, unless consumers have added new appliances such as air conditioner or refrigarators. 

<P>He added that the Ministry has taken several steps to reduce costs. “As a result, we have been able to make the Electricity Board a profit making body after ten years,“ Minister Ranawaka said a short while ago.