• 10% hike possible if BSTBA falls below Rs. 15 b: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has officially requested the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to submit updated and accurate financial statistics to assess the status of the Bulk Supply Transaction Bank Account (BSTBA), as discussions continue over a potential electricity tariff revision.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, PUCSL Corporate Communications Director Jayanath Herath confirmed that the commission had called for the revised figures to determine whether the BSTBA balance had fallen below the critical Rs. 15 billion threshold – a level which, under regulatory guidelines, could trigger a tariff adjustment.

“If the new statistics show the account has dropped below Rs. 15 billion, then a 10% tariff increase becomes technically possible,” Herath explained.

However, he noted that no final decision had been taken yet on whether to proceed with an immediate tariff revision ahead of the scheduled adjustment on 1 July. “The commission will decide on the timing based on the figures we receive and the broader sector outlook,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking during a television programme last week, confirmed that electricity tariffs would be increased at the upcoming tariff revision in June. However, he assured that the revised rates would still remain lower than the tariffs imposed in December last year.

“The electricity tariffs were reduced by 20-30% in January and they will not be increased by the same amount again in June,” the President clarified. He also stated that the CEB was expected to submit its proposals to the PUCSL by 15 May, with a final decision on tariffs to be announced within two weeks thereafter.