Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the Government of undermining Sri Lanka’s solar power sector through recent policy changes, claiming that the measures favour fuel and thermal power generation.
Premadasa made the remarks during a visit to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), where he raised concerns over the Government’s decision to discontinue Net Metering and Net Accounting for new rooftop solar connections and move new agreements to the Net Plus scheme.
The policy change for new connections has been confirmed in recent reports and official PUCSL material explains the differences among the three schemes.
He alleged that the decision had strengthened what he described as a “fuel and thermal power plant mafia,” despite the Government publicly advocating renewable energy.
Premadasa also claimed that approvals for solar power projects had been arbitrarily suspended, arguing that generating 2,500 MW of solar power could save the country around Rs. 25 billion. These figures were claims made by the Opposition Leader during the visit.
He further criticised reductions in solar power tariffs, saying rates had previously fallen from Rs. 37 to around Rs. 27 before being reduced further. PUCSL records show that the flat rooftop solar tariff for systems up to 500 kW was Rs. 37 per unit from October 2022 and was revised to Rs. 27.06 from July 2024; newer tariffs vary according to system capacity.
The Opposition Leader argued that lower tariffs and changes to the rooftop solar framework would discourage investment in the sector and negatively affect entrepreneurs and young professionals.
Premadasa also questioned the Government’s approach to thermal generation, referring to the Yugadanavi, Sobadhanavi and Sahasdanavi power plants. He claimed that the absence of LNG had resulted in reliance on diesel, thereby strengthening fuel-based electricity generation.
Calling for consumers to have access to affordable clean and green energy, Premadasa urged authorities to immediately facilitate approvals for solar projects and give greater priority to renewable energy.
He also said steps would be pursued both locally and internationally against measures he believes are damaging the solar power industry.
During the visit, Premadasa met PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal and other senior officials of the Commission. (Newswire)