The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) granted approval yesterday (30) to increase electricity tariffs with effect from tomorrow (1 April).
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) earlier requested a 13.56 per cent electricity tariff revision from the PUCSL for the second quarter of this year (April–June).
Under the electricity tariff revision announced by the PUCSL for domestic consumers, tariffs for the zero–30 units category will rise by 4.3 per cent, resulting in a monthly increase of Rs. 15. For the 31–60 units category, tariffs will increase by 6.9 per cent, with a monthly rise of Rs. 45. For the 61–90 units category, tariffs will also increase by 6.9 per cent, translating to a monthly increase of Rs. 120. For the 91–120 units category, tariffs will rise by 7.1 per cent, leading to a monthly increase of Rs. 420.
For consumption above 180 units, electricity tariffs will increase by 25 per cent, marking the highest rise under this revision, according to the PUCSL.
It has been decided to increase electricity tariffs by eight per cent for the general and household consumer categories, while limiting the tariff increase for the industrial sector to 8.7 per cent, according to the Commission.
For Government institutions, the PUCSL has decided to raise electricity tariffs by 14.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has decided not to increase electricity tariffs for religious and charitable institutions that consume below 180 units per month. The Commission has approved a 9.6 per cent increase only for consumption above 180 units in those sectors.
The PUCSL has also decided to introduce a new tariff category for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to promote EV use and demand-side management, including peak shifting.
The PUCSL conducted a series of public consultations to obtain stakeholder feedback on the proposed second electricity tariff revision for 2026. The consultations were held across five provinces to ensure broad public participation and regional representation.
The sessions took place in Ampara, Vavuniya, Matale, Hambantota, and Colombo from 9 to 18 March. Written comments and suggestions regarding the proposed tariff revision were accepted from the public until 18 March.
More than 250 stakeholders participated in the sessions, including representatives from industry, commerce, small and medium enterprises, the public sector, consumer associations, religious organisations, and individual consumers, the PUCSL noted. The consultation process provided an open and inclusive platform for participants to express their views, concerns, and recommendations on the proposed tariff structure and its anticipated implications for various consumer categories and the national economy.
In terms of Section 30 of the Electricity Act, No. 20 of 2009, General Policy Guidelines for the electricity industry, and the Commission-approved “Tariff Methodology – 2021”, the CEB was directed to submit the tariff proposal for the second quarter of 2026.
Accordingly, the end-user and bulk supply tariff proposals by the CEB, considering the quarter starting from April 2026, were received by the Commission on 13 February for the second quarter tariff review of 2026. The CEB proposal requested a tariff increase of 13.56 per cent, to be effective from 1 April.