• Says that only 2 months and 2 weeks can be provided per institutional regulations 

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) stated that while it allows a two-months payment window and a two-weeks grace period after disconnection notices, its institutional regulatory framework prevents offering additional relief for delays in settling electricity bills.

It was reported recently that the average daily number of electricity disconnections for unpaid bills has risen from 2,660 last year (2023) to 3,443 this year. The Electricity Consumers' Association claimed that the number of disconnections had risen as consumers find it difficult to settle their electricity bills due to the CEB not lowering electricity tariffs despite having an adequate profit status.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the CEB Media Spokesperson, engineer Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said that electricity tariffs have been reduced compared to 2021 and 2022, which saw significantly higher rates. “It’s true that tariffs are not as low as before 2021 and 2022, but our assessment is that they are not unbearable. For instance, many consumers could not afford to pay their bills in 2022, but that situation has improved now." Noting that the increase in disconnections cannot be entirely attributed to tariffs, he said that the country's overall economic situation may be a contributing factor.

In response to a query as to whether there is any possibility to provide some relief to those unable to settle their bills on time, he said that the CEB grants a two months payment window for the settlement of bills, adding that another two weeks are granted after issuing disconnection notices to a particular consumer. "If a consumer is ready to settle the bill when officers are present to disconnect the electricity supply, that opportunity is also provided. If the consumer fails to take advantage of any of these opportunities, there is no other option but to disconnect as required by the relevant provisions. Any additional relief needs to come through a government policy decision. As an institution, we should adhere to the existing regulations."

A total of 970,933 electricity disconnections including 793,192 in the Domestic category, 152,475 in the General category, 1,239 in the Government category, 18,230 in the Industrial category, 5,748 in the Religious category, and 49 in the Hotel category, had been carried out from January to December 2023 due to the non-payment of electricity bills on time. The average daily number of disconnections during that year had been 2,660. During the period from January to June of this year, 628,286 electricity disconnections have been carried out, including 505,949 in the domestic category, 111,276 in the General category, 8,579 in the Industrial category, 2,090 in the Religious category, 353 in the Government category, and 39 in the Hotel category. The average daily number of disconnections during that period stands at 3,442.