CEB has assured continuous power for hospitals – Ministry

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has assured that electricity will not be cut off for the next two months in any hospital controlled by the Health Ministry.

Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Saman Ratnayake said that this assurance was given by the Electricity Board in accordance with an agreement made by the Health Minister and the Health Ministry Secretary with the Electricity Board Chairman. Dr.Ratnayake stated this while speaking to the media in Kandy yesterday (27).

He also emphasised that Rs.120 million was given from the Treasury to pay the outstanding electricity bill of the Colombo National Hospital.

With the economic crisis, there is a shortfall of about four to five months in the payment of electricity bills in the hospitals controlled by the Health Ministry and based on the promise that the related arrears will be paid within the next two months, the Electricity Board Chairman came to an agreement not to cut off the electricity in the hospitals, the Additional Secretary said.

Dr.Ratnayake said according to the agreement reached, the outstanding electricity bills should be paid within two months and after that the electricity bill should be paid properly every month and the treasury has given a guarantee that the necessary money will be provided without any delays.