On Dec. 01, the Ceylon Electricity Board had taken measures to disconnect power supply to the Abhayaramaya Temple in Narahenpita without prior notice over an unpaid bill of Rs. 11,000, reports say.

The disconnection had taken place at a time when the Chief Incumbent of the Abhayarama Temple – Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero had not been at the temple.

Upon learning of this, a member of the ‘Dayaka Sabha’ had immediately paid the due sum and the relevant re connection fee, to secure power to the temple on the very day.

Ven. Ananda Thero has urged CEB authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident, as the disconnection had taken in a manner that violated CEB regulations.

According to usual procedure, the CEB must initially inform the customer of the impending disconnection and issue a ‘Red Bill.’ Also, a disconnection is only possible for unpaid bills amounting to over Rs. 5,000.

The Thero points out that CEB regulations have been violated as no red bill or prior warning has been issued while the unpaid sum was a total not pertaining to a single meter but 03 meters.

Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero is considered a very close aide of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.