• Minister acknowledges payment delays affecting producers
• The situation is further complicated with recent tariff revisions

The Ministry of Energy stated that it was currently reviewing unpaid dues owed to solar power producers, with a resolution expected within a week.

Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told The Daily Morning yesterday (26) that he had acknowledged the difficulties faced by producers and had found no valid reason to withhold payments. “I will immediately look into the matter and take action within a week,” he said.

Reports indicate that approximately 360 commercial investors and about 150,000 rooftop solar users are currently facing financial difficulties due to unpaid dues, retroactive tariff reductions, and shifting policy decisions.

Payments to solar producers have reportedly been delayed for nearly three months, creating severe working capital challenges.

Around 70% of project capital has been financed through bank loans, leaving many households forced to continue paying monthly instalments despite losing expected income from electricity sales.

The situation has been further complicated by recent tariff revisions, which reduced the purchase price of solar-generated electricity from Rs. 37 to as low as Rs. 17 for some newer projects.

Industry sources have also linked the payment delays to operational disruptions following the recent restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) into six state-owned entities.