Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma has instructed top officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to extend a grace period till 31 December to settle outstanding bills and to refrain from disconnecting power for hotels registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The tourism industry is the worst hit by the COVID pandemic. Considering the difficulties the industry stakeholders have had to face, the Minister has instructed CEB’s Board of Directors to extend the support to the tourism industry. 

Accordingly, with the new directive, the grace period to complete the arrears has now been extended until 31 December 2021 for hoteliers to pay their electricity bills in 12 equal instalments, during the relevant year. Earlier, the Cabinet granted approval for hotels to settle their electricity bills by 31 September. 

The Minister further stated that this decision was taken under the guidance of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, adding that tourism had been a major contributor to economic growth with much-needed foreign exchange, and after considering hardships of those engaged in the sector.

Health guidelines for incoming tourists to be announced today