On the instructions of Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, investigation teams of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) with the assistance of the police have begun operations to arrest those who illegally obtain electricity.

The Minister has instructed the CEB to increase the number of raids to nab the power pirates. Accordingly, 1937 persons were arrested for illegally obtaining electricity from May last year to May this year.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says it has taken legal action against them and recovered Rs 59 million in fines following the verdict given by the court.

It has been found that some people have illegally obtained electricity to drive away wild animals destroying their crops. According to the Ministry of Power and Energy, it has been revealed that some individuals are using the power provided to their legal business for other purposes.

The CEB says it annually incurs a loss of over Rs.100 million due to power piracy.