It was March 8, 2001 — I returned at 4 p.m. hungry and tired, for my lunch.

I was greeted by my watcher who had a bill in his hand — this was given to me now by a CEB worker, he said. They will cut off your electricity if you do not pay it today.

I was not worried. Every month I had paid my electricity bills regularly at the Ampitiya post office including last month’s bill in February 2001.

I took the bill and went upstairs. The clock registered 4.15 p.m. I put on the fan, but it was not working. I put on the light, but it was not working. I rang the CEB. "Yes we have cut off your electricity. Tomorrow (Friday) 9th is poya. If you want electricity, pay your bill now and we will give you back the electricity supply. Otherwise you will have to wait till Saturday.

What cheek! What impunity! After paying electricity bills monthly regularly, my lights have been cut off — the first occasion this has happened during my life span.

Why I asked? You have "arrears" they answered. How can I have arrears. This is because when we pay in Kandy, it goes to the head office in Colombo, and there is a great delay in updating the figures. There is a delay in entering the payments. Are the clerks doing their work properly. Your guess is as good as mine!

So I sent my driver post haste to pay the bills that had already paid for a second time. On the grapevine I heard that my "arrears" were small even though my electricity was cut, but those with greater arrears were not denied their electricity supply — after all, its easier going after the sprats than the whales. My arrears are due to the Colombo office not sending the figures correctly.

I am not a cat. I cannot see in the dark and I will not vote for any government who keeps me in the dark.
Dr. Eileen Petiyagoda
Consultant physician