Electricity to all Samurdhi beneficiaries

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Over 1,100 Samurdhi families have applied for electricity connections during the last seven months under the `Lighting Sri Lanka' program launched by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) last year for the benefit of low income groups.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer that Samurdi Families could obtain loans to the value of Rs. 30,000 each through Samurdi Banks to obtain electricity to their homes under this special scheme.

The amount will be deducted in instalments according to the monthly income of Samurdhi beneficiaries.

The Minister also assured that providing electricity for the whole rural and remote sector in the country will be commenced shortly.

Referring to CEB records, Ranawaka said nearly 13 percent Sri Lankan household have not been provided with electricity and urged area Pradeshiya Sabhas to identify houses that need electricity. Minister Ranawaka further said the Ceylon Electricity Board has also started large and small scale electricity supply projects including the Lighting Sri Lanka Ratnapura project, Kegalle project, Northern Project, Batticaloa and Trincomalee Projects, Uthuru Wsanthaya Project, Ampara Project, Southern Province Project and the Western Province Project.