Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-07-15

Providing relief to electricity consumers for the payment of electricity bills during the period from March to May 2020

- The report of the Committee, appointed by the Minister of Power & Energy to submit recommendations on the relief measures that can be provided to the consumers for electricity bills relating to the period from March to May, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, was taken up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting held on the 2020 07 08. The Minister of Finance, Economy and Policy Development was requested to further study the recommendations of the Committee by the officials of the General Treasury and submit proposals on possible relief measures that can be given to the electricity consumers.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the following proposals submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economy and Policy Development.

(i) To charge an amount equivalent to the electricity bill of the month of February for each month of March, April and May, if the amount of each bill for the month of March, April and May is higher than that of the month of February and grant a period of 2 months to settle such bills.

(ii) To take action by the Ceylon Electricity Board to set-off the overpaid amount to the customers who have already paid their bills for the months of March, April and May when issuing bills for them in future.

(iii) To temporally suspend electricity disconnection due to the delays in settling the electricity bills.