Loans to 200,000 households for electricity connection

The Government will grant loan facilities, subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 40,000, for 200,000 households that are unable to bear the primary expenses required to obtain an electricity connection.

Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday that the required funds could be obtained for this purpose from the Samurdhi Development Bank.

Despite existence of necessary facilities to obtain electricity connections, around 200,000 households have yet to take connections owing to the inability to bear the preliminary expenses.

He said the Government’s aim is to ensure 100% electricity connectivity in the entire country by the end of this year and already full electricity service coverage has been ensured in Colombo, Gampaha, Kaluthara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts under the Rural Electrification Project, while in other districts the rate is 90%.

Noting that electricity is a basic need to improve the lives of people and the education of rural children, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has made this proposal which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers this week. (CDS)