By: Staff Writer
January 19, Colombo (LNW): The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved Lanka Electricity Company Ltd. (LECO) to launch a prepaid electricity tariff scheme for retail consumers.
Expected to roll out by March or April 2025, this initiative empowers users from Negombo to Galle with greater control over energy usage.
According to PUCSL Director of Communications Jayanath Herath, the system features a flexible top-up mechanism that promotes energy efficiency.
Under the scheme, households consuming up to 90 kWh per month will pay Rs. 15 per kWh, while higher usage incurs Rs. 23 per kWh. Fixed monthly charges range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1,000 based on consumption.
Herath emphasized the scheme’s potential to help users better manage expenses amidst rising costs, encouraging responsible energy use.
Sometime back in 2021 the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), together with Lanka Electricity Company Pvt. Ltd. (LECO), has launched an interest pay scheme for the security deposits of electricity for LECO consumers.
Former PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake, said, “steps gave been taken to protect the rights of electricity consumers since the inception of the Commission in accordance with the powers vested in it.
It has published the Declaration of the Rights and Obligations of Electricity Consumers and many regulatory decisions to protect the rights contained therein and to protect consumers.
In particular, more than 20 different regulations, rules and guidelines have been enacted to protect consumers.
Speaking further he said the payment of interest on electricity consumer deposits is a benefit provided to the consumer under Section 28 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act.
“Accordingly, electricity utility service providers have to pay interest to electricity consumers for the electricity deposit.”
The PUCSL has the authority to decide the interest rate that to be paid to the consumers and the PUCSL declared that the interest rate for this year would be 8.68 per cent, he said adding that the interest rate changes annually.
Accordingly, LECO has commenced paying interest to its customers from yesterday onwards where the interest will be deposited to the electricity bill account of the consumer, the PUCSL chairman said. “LECO alone will pay Rs. 42 million annually to its customers as a benefit through this scheme.”
“We hope that in the future other licensees will implement this interest payment program. When other electricity distribution licensees also implement this interest benefit scheme in the future, around Rs. 1,200 million will flow into the hands of electricity consumers annually.” Rathnayake added.
