The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka granted approval for an 18% increase in electricity tariffs, which went into effect today. This tariff adjustment, characterized by an uptick in fixed charges, seeks to realign the cost of electricity consumption.

The new tariff structure applies to residential consumers and is as follows:

• For consumption of 0-30 Units, the fixed charge has risen from Rs. 150 to Rs. 180.
• For consumption of 31-60 Units, the fixed charge has increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 360.
• For consumption of 61-90 Units, the fixed charge has been revised from Rs. 400 to Rs. 480.
• For consumption of 91-120 Units, the fixed charge now stands at Rs. 1,180, compared to the previous rate of Rs. 1,000.
• For consumption of 121-180 Units, the fixed charge has seen an adjustment from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,770.
• Consumption exceeding 180 units will be subject to a fixed charge of Rs. 2,360, up from the earlier rate of Rs. 2,000.

According to the CEB, this tariff hike, while affecting consumers across various usage brackets, is designed to bring the electricity tariffs in line with the actual cost of power generation and distribution. It is aimed at supporting the sustainability of Sri Lanka's power sector while enabling investments in infrastructure, maintenance, and capacity enhancement to meet the growing demand for electricity.