Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-04-27

Implementation of a Pilot Project to Improve the Easy Accessibility and Sustainability of Financial Facilities to Rural Communities for obtaining the Electricity Service Connection

- with the view to facilitate the provision of electricity to low income household categories and Samurdhi beneficiaries, Cabinet approval has already been granted for a Scheme to recover the electricity service connection charge up to a maximum limit of Rs.30,000 for such categories, by the Ceylon Electricity Board in 48 equal monthly installments. On a proposal made by Hon.Patali Chapika Ranawaka, Minister of Power and Energy, Cabinet approval was granted to implement a micro credit based electricity connectivity programme with a grant of US$3.5 million from the Asian Development Bank to provided financial assistance to those who would not be eligible to obtain a loan under the CEB-Samurdhi Programme. Under this programme, a pilot project has been designed to be implemented in three Districts, namely Hambantota (Southern Province), Ratnapura (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Ampara (Eastern Province).