Power regulator allows instalment payments for new electricity connections

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator, has introduced a guideline to identify information for the instalment payment system for those who are not able to pay the connection charge for a new electricity connection, in terms of Section 27 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 20 of 2009 as amended. “Sri Lanka has named the year 2017 as the year for eradicating poverty in the country. These guidelines will ensure that any person is able to afford to get an electricity connection,” PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said. The guideline says those who are eligible can get the new connection in a monthly instalment basis, which should not be more than 5 percent of the declared household income with the maximum deduction being not more than Rs.1,500 and should be recovered over a period of not less than 24 months.
According to the new guideline, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company Private Limited (LECO) will recover the cost of providing a new connection in reasonable monthly instalments along with the tariff and any other charges levied by the distribution licensee as per the standard tariff agreement.