Electricity hikes coming

But no big burden on consumer, says Minister

The proposed hike in electricity rates would be implemented but in a manner that would not heap an unbearable burden on the public, Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said.

“We are not going to increase the rates drastically. We are finding ways and means to avoid putting the whole burden on the public,” he said. The minister said he had called on the public to come up with suggestions on the proposed tariff hikes before Friday.

The Ceylon Electricity Board General Manager Ranjith Pulleperuma said the board expected the public to cut down on electricity consumption as a means to bring down their electricity cost.“At a time like this conserving energy is very important. The consumption of electricity can be easily brought down by using CFL bulbs, ironing all the clothes at once, repairing faulty electric items and switching off unnecessary lights,” he said.He also called on air-condition users to adjust the thermostat to maintain a temperature of 26 Celsius and not to go to low temperatures.