The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) claimed that despite the establishment of six new companies following the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), there has been no improvement in efficiency or relief for electricity consumers.

Commenting on the recent restructuring process, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed the change had only affected the name and structure of the institution, with no visible benefits to the public. “The name of the CEB has changed, efficiency has not improved at all. If efficiency had actually improved, electricity tariffs would not continue to increase,” he said.

He also warned that a possible increase in fuel prices in the coming days could place additional pressure on electricity tariffs. “Fuel prices may increase again in the near future. What is the solution then? Even now, electricity tariffs are being increased from time to time. The same thing happened before as well. So, what exactly is the difference? We don’t see any change.”

The comments come as the six new companies established through the dissolution of the CEB officially came into operation on 9 March. Under the restructuring process, the CEB Act, No. 17 of 1969 was repealed and the CEB ceased to exist as a corporate entity. The six newly established Companies are Lanka Electricity Generation Lanka (Private) Limited, the National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd, the National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd, Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the Employees Fund (Pvt) Ltd and Energy Ventures Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Multiple attempts to contact Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka proved futile.