Key appointments have been made to the National System Operator (NSO) and the National Electricity Advisory Council (NEAC) last week, according to the Ministry of Power and Energy.
The NSO and NEAC are critical bodies responsible for overseeing the management and regulation of Sri Lanka’s electricity grid and system operations.
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman N.S. Ilangakoon has been appointed as the Chairman of the NSO.
Joining him on the NSO’s Board of Directors are Ministry of Power and Energy Additional Secretary Chandara Wijayasinghe, Treasury Deputy Secretary Priyantha Rathnayake, Dr. Susantha Perera, and Athula de Silva.
Simultaneously, the NEAC has also been constituted, with Ministry of Power and Energy Secretary Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena appointed as its Chairman.
The council includes seven other prominent members, including Vavuniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. A. Atputharajah, Dr. Narendra, Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga, and Gemunu Abeysekera.
These appointments are in line with Section 9 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.36 of 2024, which stipulates the establishment and governance structure of the NSO.
The NSO is responsible for the real-time operation of Sri Lanka’s power system, including managing the national grid, ensuring optimal power generation scheduling, and maintaining a balance between electricity supply and demand.
The NSO will operate as a limited company wholly owned by the Government, with its administration and management vested in a Board of Directors appointed by the minister.
Its functions include overseeing the System Control Centre, submitting annual power procurement plans, and ensuring non-discriminatory transmission congestion management.
Additionally, the NEAC has been established under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act as a corporate body responsible for advising the minister on national electricity policy.
The council’s duties include guiding the formulation and implementation of policies related to the electricity industry, overseeing industry reforms, and developing plans for the sector, including competitive markets and regional interconnections. It also focuses on the optimal use of indigenous energy resources, renewable energy, and modern technologies.
Additionally, the NEAC assists in preparing the Long-Term Power System Development Plan and advises on national tariff policy to ensure consumer affordability, financial sustainability, and fair returns on investments.