• Added charge to not exceed 2.2% of bill, authority for same to transferred away from LG bodies to separate entity  

The proposed new electricity policy includes a proposal to recover the cost of street lighting in a given area from the electricity bills of area residents, the Electricity Consumers’ Association has claimed. The Secretary of the Union Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that it has been stipulated that this charge should not exceed 2.2 per cent of the consumer’s electricity bill. “They are planning to calculate the wattage of the bulbs used in a particular area and distribute that cost among the residents of that area by adding it to their electricity bills. It has also been stated the added charge should not exceed 2.2% of the value of one’s electricity bill,” Dhammika alleged.

He further alleged the proposal also suggests removing the authority currently held by Local Government (LG) bodies to manage street lighting and to transfer it to another institution. “As we know, the maintenance of public street lamps and public lighting is currently handled by Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban Councils, and Municipal Councils. However, this proposal suggests removing that authority from Local Authorities and establishing a separate institution for this purpose,” Dhammika further alleged.

Attempts to contact the Energy Minister Secretary and Acting CEB Chairperson, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala proved futile.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the Public Utilities Commission’s Communication Director, Jayanat Herat said that the Commission could not comment on the matter at the moment.