Final decision on proposed electricity tariff revision on May 9

The decision on the revised electricity tariffs is scheduled to be announced on May 9, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) stated.

Accordingly, the Commission said that public consultations on the special electricity tariff revision proposal for 2026 will begin today (29).

Due to rising global fuel prices, the National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd. submitted a revised cost estimate for electricity generation for the second and third quarters of 2026 to the Commission for approval on April 27, 2026.

Based on the cost estimate, the Commission has decided to conduct a public consultation on the proposed electricity tariff revision.

The consultation document on the proposed tariff revision includes the following points:

• Providing a government subsidy of Rs. 15 billion to electricity consumers starting May 10
• Recommending that tariffs not be increased for 95% of electricity consumers, including households and religious institutions, through government subsidies
• Recommending no tariff increase for subcategories under public services, government institutions, and tourism hotels with monthly consumption below 180 units
• Recommending no tariff increase for the first subcategory in the industrial sector
• Continuing measures to ensure that additional costs caused by coal-related issues are not included in electricity tariffs

The PUCSL estimates that the National System Operator will face a deficit of Rs. 38 billion due to increased electricity generation costs in the second and third quarters of 2026.

This deficit does not include additional expenses incurred due to coal-related issues.

The government has already informed the Commission, through the Treasury, of its decision to provide Rs. 15 billion as a subsidy to cover part of the total deficit.

After reviewing the electricity generation cost estimates submitted by the National System Operator, the Commission published the consultation paper on tariff revisions today (29).

All stakeholders can review the consultation paper and submit their views and proposals.

Written submissions will be accepted until May 6, 2026, and an oral hearing session will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

After considering the submitted views and proposals, the Commission has decided to announce the final decision on electricity tariffs on May 9, 2026.

Written submissions regarding the special electricity tariff revision for 2026 can be sent through the following methods:

Source: Adaderana