Some tourist hotels facing threat of power disconnection: Minister

Despite the government granting electricity concessions to tourist hotels, there are complaints that some regional offices of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are trying to disconnect electricity supply to some hotels, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

The Minister has made a request to Power and Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and CEB Chairman Vijitha Herath to take immediate action on the matter.

On May 29 last year, the Cabinet approved to provide a one-year grace period for the payment of accumulated water and electricity bills for a period of six months without any disconnection for tourist hotels and accommodations registered with the SLTDA.

It was later extended for another six months.

Minister Ranatunga said that the government is also considering extending it further.

However, the minister said that he has received a number of complaints that CEB regional offices in some areas are taking steps to disconnect power supply in some hotels due to failure to settle the bills.

The minster said that he had received positive response from Minister Alahapperuma and CEB Chairman.

In addition, the minister said arrangements have been made to extend the solar loan programme to the hotel sector under the Indian loan scheme, which will provide relief to those engaged in the tourism sector. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)