High watt bulbs;

LG bodies warned

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Power and Energy Ministry has focused attention on the use of high wattage bulbs by certain Local Government authorities at main junctions and official functions flouting the Government's repeated warnings.

According to Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Local Government bodies (LG bodies) countrywide should refrain from using 500 and 1,000 watt bulbs to illuminate main junctions, streets, gardens or other official functions.

The Minister told the Sunday Observer that the Ceylon Electricity Board has to pay a colossal sum of money on electricity for Local Government institutions and therefore officials should create as awareness among workers on the use of low wattage bulbs to illuminate streets and at other functions.

He said the CEB spends Rs. 30 for a 250 watt bulb for four hours and therefore local bodies use 250 watt bulbs for street illuminations.

The Minister called upon LG bodies to keep a close tab on street lights between 7.00 pm and 5 am the following day.

Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Manoj Sanjaya Hettige said he goes around the area almost daily and does not permit the use of high wattage bulbs for street illuminations.