Consumer affairs

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Consumer Affairs Authority
1-2nd Floors, CWE Secretariat
27, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2
Tel: 2445897, 2393577, 2393495
Fax: 2399148
Hotline: 2321696
Website: www.consumeraffairs.gov.lk
Government Information Hotline: 1919
Branches: Ampara 0602 638512, Gampaha 0602 839912, Kurunegala 0602 979792, Polonnaruwa 0602 279982, Badulla 0602 559582, Matara 0602 404312, Batticaloa 0602 658522, Moneragala 0602 559599, Kegalle 0602 359912, Anuradhapura 0602 858612, Hambantota 0602 489912, Matale 0602 668602, Puttalam 0602 329012, Kalutara 0602 309912, Ratnapura 0602 469912, Kandy 0602 826212, Galle 0602 929812, Nuwara Eliya 0602 539812.

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Saving energy

As we all know at present Sri Lanka has faced several problems with regard to the availability, use and prices of different energy sources used in the country.

The responsibility of all consumers is to try to optimise the use of energy at the individual household level and this will contribute to mitigate the energy crisis at national level. This article attempts to draw your attention to different ways that the efficiency of energy use can be improved at the household level.

Use of energy efficient appliances

Suppose you want to buy a refrigerator. The best to buy is the fridge with the lowest price; is it a correct decision? Not really. How much an appliance costs depends on 3 things; purchase price, repair and maintenance cost and energy cost.

To estimate how much you will spend on an appliance over time, you have to consider all these posts.

Energy efficiency is an important part of any decision. What makes one appliance more efficient than another? Most of the differences are on the inside. Even if two models look the same, certain features can mean a big difference in your energy bills.

To make an energy smart decision

* Select the appropriate size and style

Measure the space in your kitchen to be sure your new appliance will fit. Make sure that you have room to open the door fully and have enough space for ventilation.

* Calculate the operating cost as well as the purchase price.

Checkout your choices for the equipment and look for the energy star logo to find the most energy efficient models.

* Know where to shop

Appliance outlets, electronic stores, local retailers often carry different brands and models. Once selected your choice compare the deals of different retailers.

* Ask about special offers

The company may offer cash rebates, low interest loans or other incentive programs. Inquire about them.

Energy saving tips

* Move your refrigerator away from the cooker or other heat sources. Make sure the door seals are air tight. Minimise the number of times you open the refrigerator.

* Use pans that fit the size of the burners on your cooker. Use lids then you can cook at a lower temperature.

* If you use the pans made out of clay in the gas cooker select the ones specially made for gas cookers. These pans are thinner than the normal ones and this helps to saves gas.

* Use a pressure cooker whenever possible, this will cut down the cooking time and save energy.

* Clean the burners of the cooker regularly. This improves the efficiency of the cooker.

* Make sure that the refilled gas cylinder has the correct weight before you purchase.

* Match the water level on your washing machine to the size of your load. Don't fill the machine for just a few items.

* Iron all the clothes required for one week at once.

* If you use air conditioners switch off it 30 minutes before you leave the room and switch on the air conditioner after about 30 minutes of your arrival next day.

Shedding light on buying bulbs

What do you need from a light bulb? You want the right amount of light, and you want it to last a long time. But you don't want it to add to your electricity bill. You can get everything you want if you use a little energy know-how.

Energy efficient lighting can save you money. You have to pay attention on the following when purchase bulbs.

- Light output

* How much light the bulb produce, measured in lumens. A 60 watt regular bulb yields about 855 lumens. A 15 watt compact florescent bulb yields 900 lumens.

- Energy use

* The total electrical power a bulb uses, measured in watts.

- Average life in hours

* How long the bulb will last.

Start saving energy today. Enjoy the benefits of reduced energy bills. Help the country to combat a national problem.

Chandrika Thilakaratne, Director Consumer Affairs and Information, CAA.

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Competition culture

Effectively enforced competition laws and economic reform guided by competition principles, are being increasingly recognised as essential pre-requisites for economic development, growth and rising levels of economic welfare.

There are strong links between competition policy and numerous pillars of economic development, such as policies on governance, privatisation deregulations/ regulatory reform, trade linearisation and the attraction of creation of the entrepreneurial class of agriculture, health, innovation.

The most fundamental steps that should be taken by the policy makers in any developing country that has made a commitment to embracing a more market based economy is to build a competition culture. An extremely helpful first step of this task can be to conduct an assessment of the country's most basic needs and priorities in relation to competition. Such an assessment should cover all principal areas.

Experience strongly suggests that the building of a competition culture within a developing or transition country is likely and tenuous at best unless key state holders understand the benefits of competition, are aware of at least some of the important links between competition policy and other important policy areas, and believe that greater competition in the economy will in fact improve the well-being of most people in the economy.

Accordingly, consideration should be given to adopting comprehensive strategy for building support and enthusiasm for competition among these stakeholders, as well as among the general public.

This is where the press and the educational institutions can be particularly helpful. By sensitising the journalists, professors and students to the benefits of competition and the various ways in which competition can be distorted advocates of competition can cultivative import allies who are capable of galvanising public opinion in support of pro-competitive reform in various areas. In turn, public support greater competition can make it much more difficult for politicians to undermine or resist market reform efforts.