CEB advised not to disconnect power supply due to bill outstanding: Power Minister

The Senior Officers of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have been advised not to disconnect power supply to tourist hotels that are registered with the Tourism Development Authority due to unsettled electricity bill, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

He said due to the global COVID-19 epidemic situation, visits by overseas tourists to the country has been hampered. As the result of that, the local tourism industry has suffered a major setback, he said.

The Minister gave these instructions to the Board of Directors of the CEB.

He has decided this considering the precarious situation which the hoteliers are confronted with due to the economic downturn since the second wave of COVID-19.

Accordingly, the settlement of outstanding electricity bill payment period has been extended till December 31, 2021.

Earlier, the settlement of outstanding bill payment was extended until September 2021 following a cabinet approval.

This will enable hoteliers to pay their electricity bills in equal instalments during the period where the extension was granted. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)