Jan 2026: ECA wants substantial tariff reduction
Cites increased hydropower gen.
The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) states the upcoming electricity tariff revision in January of next year (2026) should provide the public with a substantial reduction, citing increased hydropower generation in the recent past.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, the ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that earlier forecasts on hydropower availability presented by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) were not accurate, and that the same led to higher tariffs that the consumers were forced to bear unnecessarily. He further alleged that the data presented on normal rainfall levels and projected reservoir capacities had also been inaccurate, directly affecting the previous tariff revision.
“Hydropower generation has now risen significantly with the high rainfall. The people must definitely receive a notable electricity tariff reduction in the next tariff revision. It should in fact take effect from January 2026. But, we don’t see any preparation from the CEB to present a tariff revision proposal. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) should take steps to make sure that the tariff revision is implemented on time.”
Attempts to contact the Energy Ministry Secretary and the Acting CEB Chairperson, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, and the PUCSL proved futile.The country’s hydropower sector, which includes major schemes such as the Mahaweli system and several reservoirs island-wide, continues to play a key role in meeting the national electricity demand. In recent weeks, intense rainfall has rapidly increased the water levels in major reservoirs, boosting the hydropower output across the grid.
