Ministry contradicts CEB

13 May 2010 09:30 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Indika Sri Aravinda AUDIO

The Power and Energy Ministry and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today contradicted each other on the need to produce a ‘red notice’ to the consumer before disconnecting the power.

Following a complaint by a consumer in Bambalapitiya, the Daily Mirror online contacted the CEB West office in Bambalapitiya who said that the electricity can be discontinued without issuing a red notice.

The engineer at the office said that both in Colombo and Kandy the electricity of a consumer can be discontinued without a red notice if the consumer has failed to pay the electricity bill within a period of 30 days.

However when contacted by Daily Mirror online, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy M.M.C Ferdinando said it is a violation to discontinue the electricity without issuing a red notice and the consumer had a right to lodge a complaint.

Meanwhile a spokesman at the Ceylon Electricity Board, speaking to Daily Mirror online also said that the electricity cannot be cut without issuing a red notice. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 32

Thursday, 13 May 2010 12:02 PM

Best check with their wives/girlfriends.....whether they are coming or going....

Friday, 14 May 2010 11:01 AM

I can remember some years ago in LECO when they were disconnecting without the issue of a red notice legal opinion was that a red notice is a legal requirement and I as the Engineering Manager laid the procedure to issue the red notice and if payment is not paid within 7 days then to issue orders for disconnection and once the order is given it has to be executed

Friday, 14 May 2010 06:08 AM

This is an issue of fundamental significance - the right way for the CEB to communicate with the customer prior to embarking on a drastic of course of action, namely, disconnecting power. The CEB Head Office says the RED NOTICE features in the process but, regrettably, one of its main Branch Offices is not aware of that requirement. Thus, there seems to be a serious communication problem within the organization itself.

Friday, 14 May 2010 05:53 AM

It is no surprise. We can expect more and more such things in the future.

Friday, 14 May 2010 04:47 AM

you can take this up with the Public utilities commission - PUC set up in the Electricity act which is in the MBSL building colombo 3.

Friday, 14 May 2010 04:28 AM

Oh really?!? The why my dear IZY did you say, and I quote "Well I myself do not pay on time". If you are so concerned about CEB why don't you pay YOUR bills on time?!?

Friday, 14 May 2010 12:39 AM

Govt departments owe the CEB huge sums of money running into billions. Any red notices to them? Because of these huge govt dept debts the "mums and dads" consumers have to support the CEB for their borrowing costs to run the CEB and pay its debts.
At the bottom of the pile is the voter who is being slugged

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:20 PM

The biggest defaulters are government institutions; politicians; and, their stooges ... why isn't the power to these defaulters disconnected?

Thursday, 13 May 2010 03:19 PM

The 'miracle ' plan has so far been a bit of a disaster!

Thursday, 13 May 2010 03:19 PM

I see these contradictions as higher level of Democracy!

Thursday, 13 May 2010 02:01 PM

Are they getting their wires crossed? Beware it might blow a fuse.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 01:54 PM

There are regulations which the CEB has to adhere to, one of them is that they issue a red notice before the disconnection of supply. There are some 'well frogs' who do not get this... and believe that officials can do as they please. It is because of these people that this wonderful country has become lawless. Therefore before posting comments please get your facts right and don't bring shame to other educated and knowledgeable 'majority'.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 01:34 PM

This is like chasing the legal owners away and demolishing the houses in slave island... so many statements and contradictions while the owners are suffering without proper shelter....

Thursday, 13 May 2010 01:28 PM

Bet they will cut only private citizens but the govt depts & big wigs never. That is the way here in Paradise

Thursday, 13 May 2010 01:26 PM

So if they owe each other, then the total sum is zero. That is why they are bankrupt and cannot maintain services.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 12:55 PM

well if u READ what I typed clearly, u'd know if I am athe CEO or a consumer.. Sending US an invoice is fine BUT a RED notice is not necessary IF we all know to live by ethics..

Thursday, 13 May 2010 09:43 AM

Banana Republic to the max

Thursday, 13 May 2010 11:49 AM

Try migrating to afganistan........obama will give you a bonus from air

Thursday, 13 May 2010 11:13 AM

Sure...we are almost in door step of Miracle of Asia...8th wonder of world.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 11:11 AM

who are u CEO of CEB ? dont explain the false move ... send red notice whether u like it or not, ... first inform that the service is going to get suspended and then take action ...

Thursday, 13 May 2010 11:07 AM

privatise the C.E.B. everything will be fine

Thursday, 13 May 2010 11:06 AM

where are u from Somalia ? this is Colombo, Sri Lanka. we will spend on entertainment and will not pay bills on time ... that's our life style ... anyhow we will pay all bills ... i specially want to see a red notice to pay electricity bill and out going cut to pay phone bill also a couple of calls from call center for credit card min payments :-) ... now what is ur problem with that ?

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:56 AM

is it a case of tail wagging the dog. Sadly this is the situation in almost all government institutions and ministries as they dont know whether they are coming or going. We are fast on our way to be the Miracle of Asia !

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:53 AM

How ridiculous! If the bill is not paid within 30 days,disconnection!! In this era of high cost of living with no salary increments, is this fair? Then disconnect the connection to the Ministries and government departments first since they owe them billions of rupees before disconnecting a poor resident's connection for holding payment for 30 days.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:43 AM

Well I myself do not pay on time BUT I do not think they should send us a RED NOTICE. they send us electricity bills and that is good enough for us to be vigilant. CEB is nit bank to give credit and they have their own bills to pay too. Take for example the amounts the govt. institutions owe each other and make it a problem to each other in settling their bills.
Same goes to us individual consumers.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:30 AM

Nothing unusual, guys in the government sector do not know whether they are coming or going!

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:09 AM

It is a mandatory requirement for the CEB to issue a red notice before disconnecting the lines. If not CEB should lay down a set of guidelines about such actions and publish them so that the public could be aware such procedures.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:05 AM

This is what happens usually in govt organizations, they don't know what their sister departments are upto and always contradict each other.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:03 AM

We strongly agree that the new LECO or LEGO company are to inform the consumer via RED NOTICE without having a red stamp on each utility bill they send out. Many of us fail to pay the electricity bills on a monthly basis and this should be notified before they come to our door step and disconnect the power just to earn another connections fee.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 09:59 AM

Well...I'm not confused, I'm just well mixed.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 09:55 AM

Its high time CEB cracked the whip on electricity pirates, specially colombians who have pots of monies but wont pay their bills on time but will go all out to spend lavishly on their favourte politicians who have been discarded by the majority. Good move CEB go & cut all unpaid connection without any notice. The silent majority will applaud you.

Thursday, 13 May 2010 09:52 AM

The Rulers have been confusing us for a long time on many issues.

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Ministry contradicts CEB

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