Sri Lanka cracks down on illegal electricity connections

July 03, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run power utility the Ceylon Electricity Board has begun raids on homes and businesses illegally tapping power from its grid, the power and energy ministry said in a statement. The ministry statement said the CEB earned Rs14mn through fines and arrears from power pirates after the raids in June alone. The raids are part of efforts to reduce losses at the CEB owing to power piracy.

The CEB has been making heavy losses in recent years as it sells power below cost.