deviating from the recommendations made by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding the fees to be charged for providing new electricity connections.

Early this year, the PUCSL recommended reductions in the costs of various electricity connections with effect from 6 March.

The 30-ampere (A) single-phase electricity connection, initially priced at Rs. 49,500, was recommended to be reduced by Rs. 4,000, bringing the new cost to Rs. 45,500.

For the 30-A three-phase electricity connection, the previous price of Rs. 86,000 was recommended to be lowered by Rs. 700, making it Rs. 85,300. Additionally, the 60-A three-phase connection, previously Rs. 96,500, was recommended to be reduced to Rs. 93,400 by Rs. 3,100.

ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the CEB implemented the recommendations made by the PUCSL only with effect from 1 April of this year, causing injustice to electricity consumers, and thereby securing an undue profit of Rs. 29.7 million.