Sri Lanka raises electricity tariffs from April 1, with highest hike for heavy users
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) on Monday (30) approved an increase in electricity tariffs effective April 1, 2026, granting a scaled adjustment that falls significantly short of the 13.56% across-the-board rise requested by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in February.
The approved increases vary by consumer category, with the steepest hike – 25.3% – applied to domestic consumers using more than 180 units per month. Low-consumption households in the 0-30-unit bracket will see the smallest increase, at 4.3%, adding approximately Rs 15 to their monthly bill.
Under the revised structure, domestic consumers will face the following monthly increases: 0–30 units: 4.3% increase – Rs 15 additional per month; 31–60 units: 6.9% increase – Rs 45 additional per month; 61–90 units: 6.9% increase – Rs 120 additional per month; 91–120 units: 7.2% increase – Rs 420 additional per month; and above 180 units: 25.3% increase – the highest adjustment in this revision.
General and household consumer categories will see an 8% increase, while the industrial sector faces a rise of 8.7%. Government institutions will absorb the second-highest sectoral increase, at 14.4%.
In a notable carve-out, the PUCSL has decided to exempt religious and charitable institutions consuming below 180 units per month from any tariff increase. Those exceeding the 180-unit threshold in this category will face a 9.6% rise – well below the rate applied to comparable consumer groups.
The revision also introduces a new tariff category for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, a move the Commission said is intended to promote EV adoption and support demand-side management through peak-load shifting.
The tariff revision follows a legally mandated quarterly review process under Section 30 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009. The CEB submitted its proposal to the PUCSL on February 13, 2026, requesting a 13.56% increase for the second quarter of 2026.
Prior to its decision, the PUCSL conducted public consultations across five provinces – in Ampara, Vavuniya, Matale, Hambantota, and Colombo- between March 9 and March 18. More than 250 stakeholders participated, including representatives from industry, commerce, small and medium enterprises, the public sector, consumer associations, religious organisations, and individual consumers. Written submissions were accepted through March 18.
The Commission said the process provided an open and inclusive platform for participants to express their views on the proposed tariff structure and its implications for various consumer categories and the broader economy.
-ENCL
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