• Regulator says CEB’s late submission makes a 1 January increase unrealistic

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has stated that even though the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested a revision of electricity tariffs to be implemented from 1 January, the process could not be rushed and would take at least several weeks, even if carried out at maximum efficiency.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, PUCSL Director-Communication, Jayanat Herat said that the CEB had submitted its tariff revision proposal on 24 December, 2025, despite earlier instructions to do so much earlier if the changes were to take effect from the beginning of the year. He noted that it had informed the CEB on 22 October, 2025 to submit any proposal for a 1 January implementation on or before 14 November, 2025, giving regulators sufficient time to study the data and complete the required procedures.

“The CEB has requested this revision be implemented from 1 January, but the proposal was only sent to us on 24 December. If it is to be implemented from 1 January, there is not even enough time to properly study it,” he said, adding that tariff revisions usually take between six and eight weeks to be finalised.

Herat stressed the PUCSL could not approve a tariff revision in a rush, as the proposal needs to be carefully examined. "Under the law, the PUCSL is required to allow at least 21 days for written submissions from relevant stakeholders. This period alone takes about three weeks, and even if all processes are handled at the highest level of efficiency, a minimum of four weeks would still be required to complete the review."

The comments come after the CEB submitted a proposal to the PUCSL seeking a revision of electricity tariffs for 2026, indicating that an 11.57% increase would be required in the first quarter of the year. According to the submission, a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million has been estimated for the period from January to March 2026, which the CEB states necessitates the proposed increase.

The CEB has also stated that any deviations from these estimates, whether an excess or a shortfall, would be addressed through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment mechanism and taken into account at the next tariff revision. The Board has stated that the proposed changes are aimed at maintaining financial and operational stability and reducing risks to the reliability of the electricity supply, subject to the PUCSL’s approval and due process.