Lanka Electricity Co. changes tune

Following the news item in the 'Sunday Observer' of 4.6.09 titled, 'Rs.800 late payment charge in contravention of the Electricity Act where the functions of Lanka Electricity Company in regard to such a charge without serving a final notice of 48 hours for not settling electricity bills was highlighted, a very conspicuous change was seen in Lanka Electricity Company's bill format the very next week - namely the printing in a red block the 48 hour notice as defined in Section 49 (1) of the Electricity Act; an obvious rectification of its erroneous method of billing rate payers a Rs.800 late payment charge and a further two per cent for preparation of such a bill.

In the wake of this new development, the rate payer Gamini Rupasinghe of Walana,Panadura, who questioned Lanka Electricity Company's legality in compelling him to pay a late payment charge of Rs.832, has now demanded of the said company to make up for its lapse by offsetting the amount against this month's bill.

Section 49 (1) of the Electricity Act states as follows: "49 (1). In any case where a person neglects to pay any charge for energy or any other sum due from him to a licensee in respect of the supply of energy to him, the licensee may, after giving such person not less than 48 hours notice in writing, cut off the supply and for that purpose cut or disconnect any electricity line or other works, being the property of the licensee, through which energy maybe supplied, and may discontinue the supply until such charge or sum, together with the amount of any expenses which have been incurred by him in cutting off the supply or may be incurred in reconnecting the line or other works, is paid; a piece of the Electricity Act which Lanka Electricity Company had pointedly been contravening.