… since 2011 163,090 permanently disconnected

Termination of electricity supply to consumers in the wake of 2022 political upheaval caused by an unprecedented economic crisis revealed a pathetic situation, National List MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said.

Escalation of power discontinuations against the backdrop of unwarranted tariff increases at a time hydropower generation had been at its peak during the last six months of 2023 was nothing but a crime, MP Cumaratunga told The Island.

The ‘Yuthukama’ leader said that he took up this issue recently in parliament.

Responding to questions raised by MP Cumaratunga, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana disclosed that altogether a staggering number of more than 28 mn red notices were issued during 2022.5.14 to 2024.1.31 period by CEB and LECO (Lanka Electricity Company). Of the total amount of red notices, LECO issued over 3.7 mn, the minister said, adding that the CEB during this period discontinued power supply to 9,24,554 whereas LECO did the same for 138,236 consumers.

Minister Wijesekera placed the number of electricity consumers served by the CEB and LECO as at May 14, 2022 at 6,663,249 and 610,232, respectively.By January 1, 2024, the number of consumers had been increased to 7,171,874 (CEB) and 629,416, respectively.

MP Cumaratunga pointed out that the above revealed figures underlined what he called an extremely hopeless situation. The government couldn’t ignore the difficulties experienced by the vast majority of people struggling to make ends meet, the MP said.

The number of disconnctions during the past two years should be examined taking into consideration the situation from 2011.1.1 to 2020.12.31, MP Cumaratunga said. During that decade which recorded a significant increase in the number of service receivers, the CEB and LECO issued 1,786,465 and 1,39,692 new connections, respectively.

Minister Wijesekera said that there had been 732,623 and 576,248 discontinuations by the CEB and LECO, respectively while 126,008 were permanently discontinued by the former for failing to settle all dues within 90 days. During May 4 2022 to Jan 31, 2024, CEB and LECO recorded 287,955 new connections whereas there were 1,062,790 disconnections.

Minister Wijesekera said that CEB disconnected 37,082 consumers for failing to settle all dues within 90 days during this period.

MP Cumaratunga urged the Minister Wijesekera to provide connections to those who had been disconnected especially during the last six months of 2023 when the CEB drastically increased tariffs regardless of much improved hydropower generation.