• Naphtha shortage looms as tariff decision scheduled for 1 April

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna yesterday (22) warned that the country could face a significant fuel-related challenge affecting power generation in the coming days.

Speaking during a media briefing, he said that if a crude oil shipment does not arrive on 24 or 25 March, refinery operations could continue only until around 25 March. “As a result, stocks of fuel oil and naphtha, both used for electricity generation, are expected to run out, posing a serious issue,” he said.

He added that although a fuel oil shipment is expected to arrive between 12 and 13 April, no shipment of naphtha has been scheduled. Therefore, he said that diesel would need to be used as an alternative fuel source, particularly for nighttime electricity generation.

Rajakaruna also urged the public to cooperate by conserving electricity, including switching off unnecessary lights, and reducing street lighting wherever possible.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said that the final decision on a possible electricity tariff increase would be announced on 1 April. 

Speaking at the same media briefing, he said that the Government did not intend to raise electricity tariffs in light of current global market conditions.

However, he acknowledged that the Ceylon Electricity Board had proposed a 13% increase in electricity tariffs based on market conditions observed during December, 2025 and January, 2026.