Electricity bills rise despite promised relief

23 May 2013 12:17 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Despite assurances by the Government that those who consumed less than 60 units of electricity would not see an increase in their electricity bills, a consumer from Moratuwa complained that the bill he received on Tuesday for this month, had doubled even though he had consumed less than 60 units.

Mr. V.S.K. De Mel who did not use any electric appliances but only used electricity for lighting said he had received the bill issued by the Lanka Electricity Co. (LECO) on Tuesday which read Rs. 741.18 for 59 units of electricity consumed as the amount payable for this month. However, if calculated according to the tariffs specified under the old system the bill should have read as Rs.365.50.

A family member said their household consumption was not more than 60 units per month and that prior to this they were charged a nominal sum varying between Rs. 200-300. “We were promised that if we consumed less than 60 units we would not be affected. But our electricity bill has now doubled,” he said.

The electricity tariff has three components - the number of units consumed, the percentage rate of the fuel adjustment charge and a fixed rate which vary depending on the number of units consumed.

According to the old electricity tariff system, users who consumed 0-30 units were charged Rs.3 per unit and for 31-60 units they were charged Rs.4.70 per unit. The number of units consumed were multiplied tier by tier and then added together, after which the percentage of the fuel adjustment charge and a further fixed rate was added.

For 31-60 units of electricity consumption the fuel adjustment charge was 35% and the fixed rate was Rs.60. This added to a total of Rs. 365.50.
“I went to LECO and made a complaint because I thought the meter reader had miscalculated my bill. But I was told that the bill had been calculated the way they had been advised to by the Public Utilities Commission. They told me there was nothing they could do,” he said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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Comments - 29

rajendra kumar Thursday, 23 May 2013 09:30 AM

Just Now I went to LECO website and using their bill calculator got the amount for 59 units for 30 days-it is 365.50. Very Funny....

ranil Friday, 24 May 2013 12:00 AM

this is wrong comment. the bill is correct. via DM Android App

Dishan Friday, 24 May 2013 03:29 AM

Super Comment Anton!

muditha Friday, 24 May 2013 03:15 AM

True. I too can pay my bill without any fuss and i dont care for these kind of people no more. These are the kind of people who go kade for this govt.

Eranga Friday, 24 May 2013 02:53 AM

fight for it together .... dnt wait others to fight for u...

Critic Roshan Friday, 24 May 2013 02:37 AM

What did I say the electricity bill will be revised and give relief to the public? Mata mathaka neh.

toto Friday, 24 May 2013 01:50 AM

There is not only electricity, WATER BILL also double

BW Friday, 24 May 2013 12:53 AM

This bill is for 29 days, but used 59 units. May be deserving.

Ruhunu Kolla Thursday, 23 May 2013 11:45 PM

Oh, am staying next to a minister, going to ask him a line from his house for a small Some Thing!

Mutu Thursday, 23 May 2013 10:55 PM

Just when will this "soon" be?

Chandra Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:37 PM

An amended bill will be sent. Don't worry

gamunu Thursday, 23 May 2013 11:44 AM

Mr President increase petrol, Diesel, and Gas. There are enough people in Sri-Lanka to support rise in COL. We are happy with you as there is no opposition leader.

baby Thursday, 23 May 2013 11:27 AM

back to stone ages...!!

LS Thursday, 23 May 2013 11:15 AM

Above bill is computed on the basis of 59 units for 29 days. According to the Bill Calculator given in LECO web site, the amount 741.20

K.V.Wajira Hemantha Thursday, 23 May 2013 09:59 AM

True !!!

ANTON Thursday, 23 May 2013 01:10 AM

MY BILL IS 7500/= , I AM GONNA TELL ST. ANTHONY OF KOCHCHIKADE.

Ashan Mendis Thursday, 23 May 2013 08:18 AM

somebody has to pay for Rolls royce Diplomacy

Ashan Mendis Thursday, 23 May 2013 08:12 AM

people who thought the prices will come down have to ge their head examined

Econ Thursday, 23 May 2013 07:45 AM

Cannot understand the working. Economic Hon Bandula has to tell what this is

Mr Retort Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:34 AM

Pay up like a good boy. Don't try create problems for my govt and me. SUBA ANAGATHE is coming soon.

Minister Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:27 AM

Oh my goodness!! How long do these people take to learn May Day bluff??!!

Mohammed Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:14 AM

Grrr... I don't Wanna Live Anymore In This Country!! :(

samarasinghe Thursday, 23 May 2013 04:10 AM

Bohom hondai lankawe thawa buruwo innawa MR ge buru talk ahana

LankanFellow Thursday, 23 May 2013 03:57 AM

Another broken promise... We are used to it buddy...

MirakRajBanda Thursday, 23 May 2013 02:30 AM

Have you ever seen this president stick to what he says? Never. He eats his own words later. No exception those gone with pro-government ralleys.

Simple mind Thursday, 23 May 2013 02:13 AM

Good attitude. Wait for the others to do the spade work and then enjoy the benefit. Way to go critic

Api Wenuwen Api Thursday, 23 May 2013 01:56 AM

Never trust these ruling politicians. Get together to chase them away.

weha Thursday, 23 May 2013 01:14 AM

LOL Honda wadey. I can afford to pay the bill. so I really don't care, Y?
because I'm fed up standing up for all these people who really don't wanted to be saved.

Critic Roshan Thursday, 23 May 2013 01:13 AM

Though we did not support for a nationwide strike, Please MR, tell us what to do with the high electricity bill?

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Electricity bills rise despite promised relief

Comments - 29

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