The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced that electricity tariffs have been increased by 15% with effect from tomorrow (12 June).
Representatives of the PUCSL said the decision was taken after reviewing written and oral submissions received during the public consultation process held on the proposed tariff revision.
Addressing the media, they further said that the tariff hike has been implemented based on the tariff regulation process and by taking into consideration other important factors.
Previously, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had requested an 18.3% tariff hike for the period from June to December. Submitting the proposal, the CEB said that it was necessary to manage rising operating costs and repay debt, including previous borrowings.
Addressing the media, Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General of the PUCSL, said the commission has implemented several electricity tariff reductions recently:
- March 2024 : 21% reduction
- July 2024 : 23% reduction
- January 2025 : 25% reduction
Kumarasinghe said that despite today’s increase, tariffs had decreased by 51% when compared from January 2024 to January 2025.
“In 2014, the unit price was Rs. 21.39. With today’s decision, it has increased to Rs. 27.80. In other words, over the past 11 years, the electricity bill has risen by Rs. 6.50, or 30%,” he explained, adding that there have been increases at certain points during that period.
According to the proposed revision, the electricity tariffs in the domestic category for those using less than 30 units will be increased by 8%, as the unit price have been increased from Rs. 4 to Rs. 4.50.
Meanwhile, the fixed charge for the first 30 units consumed will be increased from Rs. 75 to Rs. 80.
Accordingly, the monthly electricity bill for those using 30 units or less will increase by Rs. 20, the PUCSL noted.
Furthermore, the tariff charged per unit for those consuming between 31-60 units, which currently stands at Rs. 6, will be increased to Rs. 8. The fixed charge for this category will be increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 210.
Domestic electricity consumers using between 61-90 units per month will be required to pay Rs. 18.50 per unit from Rs. 14. The fixed charge will remain as Rs. 400.
The current rate of Rs. 20 per unit for the category using 91-120 units will be increased to Rs. 24, while the category’s current fixed charge of Rs. 1,000 will remain the same.
The PUCSL stated those consuming between 91-120 units per month will be required to pay Rs. 41 per unit from Rs. 33 while those using more than 180 units will be required to pay Rs. 61 per unit from Rs. 52. The fixed monthly charge for those consuming more than 180 units has been increased to Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 2,100.
The electricity tariffs of religious and charitable institutions and industrial, hotel and general purpose categories have also been increased with effect from tomorrow (12).
