The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has opposed a proposed 11.57 per cent electricity tariff increase by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for the first quarter of this year (2026), claiming the move would place an added burden on the public at the start of the new year and contradict the Government’s pre-Election pledge to cut power tariffs.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, the ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the CEB has already submitted its tariff revision proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for approval. He said the Government, which had promised a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs before coming to power, is now seeking to increase tariffs by over 11%.
In its tariff revision proposal dated 24 December of last year (2025), which was seen by The Daily Morning, the CEB stated that it assessed factors including existing tariff levels, fuel availability and prices, hydro inflows, power plant maintenance schedules, the energy demand, interest rates, economic recovery trends, transmission and distribution adjustment mechanisms, the reconciliation of actual bulk supply transactions in previous periods, and the prevailing Government policies.
Based on this assessment, the CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the period from January to March 2026 and has proposed a tariff increase of 11.57% to address the shortfall. The utility added that any excess or deficit arising from variations in estimates would be adjusted through the bulk supply transaction account and considered in the next tariff revision.
Commenting on the proposal, Dhammika said the public is being presented with an electricity bill increase as the first gift of the new year. He alleged the CEB had previously reported profits by submitting inaccurate data and is now moving to increase tariffs again on Ministerial direction. He claimed the better management of hydropower generation during the rainy season could have avoided the need for a tariff hike, describing the situation as a failure in managing natural resources.
Energy Ministry Secretary and Acting CEB Chairperson, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala was not available for comment.