January 15, Colombo (LNW): Electricity tariffs will remain unchanged during the first three months of 2026 after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) decided not to proceed with a revision, citing delays and procedural shortcomings on the part of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
The Commission explained that the CEB failed to submit a complete and timely tariff proposal within the prescribed timeframe. It noted that even if a revised submission were to be received at this stage, introducing new rates late in the quarter could result in sharply inflated percentage changes over a very short period, creating unnecessary pressure on consumers and the wider economy.
According to PUCSL, the CEB had been formally notified in October 2025 to present its tariff proposal for the January to March 2026 period by mid-November. Instead, the initial submission was received only at the end of December and was found to contain several deficiencies.
The Commission subsequently requested a corrected proposal by early January, but the CEB indicated that it would need more time. No revised document has been submitted to date.
PUCSL pointed out that any tariff revision requires a detailed review process, including public consultation, which would inevitably delay implementation until the latter part of the quarter. Under such circumstances, applying a new tariff for a limited period could lead to disproportionate adjustments, with potential negative consequences for economic stability.
Taking these factors into account, the Commission confirmed that electricity prices will remain unchanged for the first quarter of 2026. It has also instructed the CEB to ensure that its tariff proposal for the second quarter is submitted no later than February 13, in order to allow sufficient time for review and decision-making.
