The Ceylon Electricity Board has introduced a new Tariff Structure for domestic consumers from April 2008 onwards.

According to this scheme, when monthly consumption exceeds a certain level, then the entire consumption from the first unit to the last unit will be charged at the higher rate applicable. For example the charges for 180 units per month @ Rs. 11.00 per unit, plus 30% fuel charge plus, Rs. 90.00 fixed charge will be Rs. 2664.00. But the charges for 181 units in that month @ Rs. 15.00 per unit plus 30% fuel charge plus Rs. 90.00 fixed charge will be Rs. 3619.00. Almost another Rs. 1000.00 for the additional one unit.

Even an error by the meter reader could result in you being slapped with these enhanced charges. If a consumer's monthly consumption is 175 units, and the meter reader under reads by 10 units in a month, next month the consumption will be 185 units and the consumer will be charged about Rs. 1000.00 more.

If the monthly consumption in a month is 185 units, the consumer can persuade the meter reader to under read by 5 units, and gain about Rs. 1000.00 and pay Rs. 200.00 to the meter reader for the favour. The meter reader can never be found fault with, because it is a matter of just five units and it can be said that the consumer has consumed it after the meter was read.

The above is just an example.

Such levels at 30 units, 60 units, 90 units, 120 units, 180 units, 240 units, 360 units, and 600 units will be operational and the consumers must be very careful. Consumers whose monthly consumption is around 120 units must control their electricity usage and ensure that they do not exceed 120 units. Similar care should be taken by those using around 180 units 240 units 360 units, etc as well.

We Sri Lankans cannot do anything in a simple and straightforward manner. Rice, Bread, Sugar, all food items, gas, fuel and almost every other item have a uniform price for all categories of people in this country. Why the CEB alone should have so many levels among its consumers is something which I simply cannot understand.