The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered a man to compensate the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for losses amounting to Rs. 201,059.90, after his protest atop a high‑voltage power pole disrupted electricity supply across several areas.

Police said the incident occurred on July 21 in Kamburupitiya, where the suspect climbed a pole belonging to the high‑voltage transmission system to express dissent over a family dispute. 

The action caused a blackout lasting more than two hours in Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Akuressa, Mulatiyana, Deyyandara, Mawarala, Deniyaya and surrounding areas.

The suspect was persuaded to descend after police brought his family members to the scene. He was immediately taken into custody and produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court, which initially remanded him until July 24.

On July 24, the Chief Magistrate directed Kamburupitiya Police to calculate the financial loss incurred by the CEB. The suspect was further remanded until July 28.

When the case was recalled on July 28, police reported the loss at over Rs. 200,000. The suspect admitted guilt, and the court ordered him to pay the amount to the CEB.

The case has been fixed for November 3 for further proceedings. (Newswire)

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced a revision of electricity tariffs for the second quarter of 2026, with increases varying based on monthly electricity consumption.

According to the revised rates, consumers using up to 30 units per month will see a 4.3 per cent increase, amounting to approximately Rs. 15.

Households consuming between 31 and 60 units will face a 6.9 per cent increase, equivalent to about Rs. 45, while those using 61 to 90 units will also see a 6.9 per cent increase, translating to roughly Rs. 120.

Consumers in the 91 to 180 unit category will experience a 7.2 per cent increase, amounting to around Rs. 420.

Meanwhile, users consuming more than 180 units per month will see the highest increase, with tariffs rising by 25 per cent.

The PUCSL said the revision applies to the second quarter of 2026, with the adjustments introduced based on prevailing costs and sector requirements. (Newswire)

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A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the Engineers’ Union of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEBEU) was held at the Presidential Secretariat today, during which a lengthy discussion took place on the restructuring process of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

During the meeting, the President pointed out that the aim of restructuring the CEB was to ensure an efficient and uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers at a fair price, while maintaining energy security for the country by keeping ownership of the new companies under the government.

The President emphasized that all rights enjoyed by the employees of the CEB will be guaranteed within the new companies as well. He further discussed at length with union representatives the issues that should have been resolved while the Board was functioning, but remain unresolved to date.

The President noted that this is not a simple process, but a long‑term and planned one. He highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue between employees and the new companies with a proper understanding during this transitional period, and the need to establish a systematic mechanism for that purpose. He further stressed the importance of ensuring employees’ mental freedom, recognizing their future expectations, and creating a free environment where they can carry out their duties with satisfaction.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further pointed out that by acting together with understanding and a sense of responsibility for the country, the existing problems can be resolved. He invited all union representatives to join hands in making this process successful, thereby guaranteeing a better service to electricity consumers and overcoming both present and future challenges in the electricity sector.

Union representatives stated that they too accept the necessity of this new transformation, and that they will contribute to achieving the expected goals by working with the government in understanding. (Newswire)

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Electricity trade unions have decided to suspend their strike action, which was launched over the abolishment of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the establishment of 06 new companies, following the restructuring process.

According to reports, the trade union action was suspended following discussions held with officials of the Ministry of Labour today. 

The electricity trade unions have assured that the disrupted electricity supply will be restored as soon as possible.

The trade union action was launched, accusing the authorities of failing to address their demands related to the CEB’s restructuring process. 

Earlier today (11), commenting on the Trade Union action, Nusith Kumaratunga, Chairman of the National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd, said trade unions engaged in strike action in the electricity sector are demanding a 40% salary increase, but if that demand is granted, electricity bills may have to be increased by 100%. 

Addressing a media briefing held by the management of affiliated supply companies, he said that the unions had made 64 demands, of which 62 were agreed upon, while for the remaining two issues, the President had given them the opportunity to discuss further.

Most of the 64 demands were requests for benefits already available to the Ceylon Electricity Board, and the Board of Directors had agreed to provide 59 of them at the initial discussion.

Accordingly, five issues remained, and the unions were informed that decisions would be taken after discussions with the Minister.

The unions had also requested that allowances be given in the same way as by the Ceylon Electricity Board, and until a performance system is introduced, this was agreed to.

He further said that an allowance of Rs. 11,000 plus a cost-of-living allowance amounting to about Rs. 17,000 in total was agreed to be given, adding that all demands that could be agreed upon at the ministerial level had been accepted.

However, while demanding a 40% salary increase, they also requested that the Rs. 11,000 allowance be added to the basic salary. The Director stated that under the law of the country, the cost of living allowance cannot be added to the basic salary.

Although this basis was explained, they did not listen, he said.

He further stated that as a government, it is not possible to think only about the 23,000 employees of the Electricity Board, as that would be unfair to other government employees.

A 40% increase would mean Rs. 1.8 billion per month, Rs. 22 billion per year, and by December 31, 2025, the private account loss of the Ceylon Electricity Board alone would be Rs. 35 billion, he said.

NTNSP Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga further said:

“We said, give us a small grace period. These cannot be done all at once. There is a Middle East war. There was also a 25% salary anomaly. That means from August 2024, there was a 25% salary anomaly. All executive‑level officers received that. It was done like this: all who had decision‑making power got 25%. Lower‑level employees who could not participate in decisions got 7%, 8%, 10%, etc. That mistake was corrected on January 1, 2025. So, higher officers got nothing further. The 25% was finished. Now they are saying to change the Cabinet decision and give 25% to everyone from January 1, 2024. Then I said Cabinet decisions cannot be changed by me or the Directors. That must be discussed with the President. That opportunity has also been given. So all demands are complete. Now we cannot understand with what purpose these union actions are being carried forward,” he said. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) has raised alarm over what it describes as a haphazard reform process in the power sector carried out over the past three to four years. 

Issuing a statement, the union said repeated concerns about potential dangers and alternative reform models had been ignored by authorities.

The CEBEU has observed with dismay the haphazard process of reforms of the CEB / power sector that has been going on for the last 3 or 4 years. It has brought to the notice of the relevant authorities its concerns regarding the reform process, dangerous outcomes that could result from the process undertaken and also better modalities for reform which would be net beneficial to the country. However, authorities have taken no notice of these concerns, it said. 

The CEBEU stressed that its members will not bear responsibility for any chaos resulting from the reforms, but emphasized it will not obstruct the government’s decisions. 

Instead, the union vowed to take all measures to protect the rights of its members and employees, particularly as jobs are threatened by the repeal of the CEB Act.

The current trade union action, which is being initiated, is to safeguard the rights of members and employees at a time when their employment is under threat. It is unfortunate that the relevant authorities have failed to adhere even to the basic rights guaranteed to employees under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, as well as the fundamental guidelines set out in the Supreme Court determinations regarding the Electricity Act, particularly in relation to the status and welfare of employees who may lose their employment at the CEB due to the repeal of the CEB Act, it said. 

The CEBEU said its current trade union action is aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to the public. (Newswire)

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The Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya has announced that all Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees will withdraw from services for 24 hours starting at 03.00 pm today (09).

Union General Secretary Prabath Priyantha told the media that despite the government’s decision to abolish the CEB, no reasonable response or collective agreement has been offered to electricity workers.

He stressed that employees will not return to duty until discussions on a collective agreement are held.

Priyantha added that while power plants and essential operations will continue, all breakdown repairs and maintenance work will be suspended during the 24‑hour period, with only essential services provided. (Newswire)

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Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees have expressed displeasure over the government’s move to abolish the CEB and establish six new companies, which comes into effect today (09).

The abolishment follows the restructuring process, under which the long‑standing Ceylon Electricity Board was officially terminated at midnight yesterday (08).

Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board Act No. 17 of 1969 has been repealed, and the Board has been legally abolished as an institution with electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and system operations assigned to six subsidiary companies. 

Addressing the media, the General Secretary of the CEB Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, Prabath Priyantha, claimed that the move has been made without a proper policy plan or employees being officially informed. 

“It is a regretful day for the nearly 22,000 employees and 6.8 million consumers. After 58 years, the CEB has been abolished, and 06 companies have been established instead. This decision has been taken without a proper policy or plan, without regard for the employees and electricity consumers,” he alleged. 

Prabath Priyantha went on to note that the move has been taken without a plan for the 2000 employees going on voluntary retirement or their promised compensation. 

“With this decision, there is no legality for any of the services provided by the CEB. The 22,000 employees have not yet received any legal appointment letters. Employees cannot legally attend to bill payments, breakdowns, and other essential services. We do not possess any legal rights under the current circumstances,” he added. (Newswire)

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An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued by Minister of Power Kumara Jayakody, making arrangements to establish six subsidiary companies by assigning the functions and duties of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

This gazette notification has been issued to take effect from March 09, 2026.

According to the gazette, provisions have been made to establish six subsidiary companies for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and system operations.

Except for certain specific clauses, the other provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 will come into force from March 9, 2026, thereby officially restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board. 

Gazette: https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2026/3/2478-41_E.pdf (Newswire)

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Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are scheduled to launch a token strike tomorrow (26 Feb), as there has been no response to their demands.

Accordingly, the unions announced that a six-hour token strike will be carried out from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm tomorrow.

Earlier this week, CEB trade unions cautioned the government that they would resort to trade union action as soon as the GCE Ordinary Level examinations conclude, if solutions are not provided to their eight demands and if the liquidation of the CEB is gazetted.

They stated that if a wrong decision is taken for unlawful restructuring without listening to their demands, they would be compelled to take this decision within the next 48 hours, even unwillingly.

The unions further said that if employee issues and energy concerns are ignored, and if a proper energy policy is not established, but instead a gazette notification is issued arbitrarily, they will definitely take this decision without further notice. 

The warning comes after employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) of the CEB recently stated that the CEB Chairman has confirmed the Gazette notification announcing the dissolution of the Board will be issued on February 28. (Newswire)

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Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have once again cautioned the government that they would resort to trade union action as soon as the GCE Ordinary Level examinations conclude, if solutions are not provided to their eight demands and if the liquidation of the CEB is gazetted.

They stated that if a wrong decision is taken for unlawful restructuring without listening to their demands, they would be compelled to take this decision within the next 48 hours, even unwillingly.

The unions further said that if employee issues and energy concerns are ignored, and if a proper energy policy is not established, but instead a gazette notification is issued arbitrarily, they will definitely take this decision without further notice. 

They stressed that this serious decision could gravely affect the country and its citizens, and that the government must bear full responsibility.

The CEB unions added that they are not prepared to carry out such action while children are sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examinations, and that their restraint is only because the exams are being held.

This was stated at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (23 Feb) by representatives of the CEB Engineers’ Union, including Executive Committee Member Engineer Sandaruwan Manchanayake; Deputy Chairman of the Technical Engineers and Officers’ Union, Nandana Udaya Kumara; Chairman of the Electrical Technicians’ Union, Kosala Abeysinghe; and General Secretary of the Independent Workers’ Union, Prabath Priyantha. 

The warning comes after employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) of the CEB recently stated that the CEB Chairman has confirmed the Gazette notification announcing the dissolution of the Board will be issued on February 28.

They had been further informed that the Government will ensure that compensation payments to employees who choose retirement will be disbursed without complications. (Newswire)

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Twenty‑four electricity sector trade unions, consisting of employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), have warned of trade union action if the government gazettes the date for restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) without providing acceptable solutions to their demands.

In a letter sent to the Minister, the unions said they had submitted eight demands nearly a month ago to safeguard employee rights, but no satisfactory response has been given. 

The unions include the CEB Engineers’ Union, Technical Engineers and Officers’ Union, Industrial Technicians’ Union, and the United Electricity Employees’ Union.

They stressed that workers have no option but to resort to trade union action to secure their demands, which include confirming all employee benefits under the collective agreement, ensuring no cuts or adverse changes to monetary and non‑monetary entitlements, preparing documents with proper employee participation, eliminating salary disparities, creating a mechanism to resolve outstanding employee and institutional issues, and granting suspended retirement benefits to voluntary retirees.

The unions noted that a previous letter sent on January 12 had also gone unanswered, reinforcing their decision to escalate action if the restructuring date is gazetted without resolution. (Newswire)

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Electricity trade unions have warned that if the government issues a gazette to dissolve the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) without fulfilling the promises made to them during restructuring, they will launch a strike without prior notice.

At a press conference held in Colombo yesterday, union representatives said that 24 electricity trade unions, including the Engineers’ Association, Technical Engineers and Officers’ Association, and the Industrial Technicians’ Association, are preparing to join this action.

The restructuring plan includes establishing six subsidiary companies to replace the CEB, with assets, liabilities, responsibilities, and operations allocated accordingly. 

This framework has been finalized under the guidance of the Attorney General, the Minister of Finance, and the Treasury.

Accordingly, once Cabinet approval is granted, the subject minister is expected to gazette the date on which the CEB will be officially dissolved. (Newswire)

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According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposal covers electricity charges for the period from January to March 2026 and includes revisions to energy charges and fixed monthly charges across domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other consumer categories.

Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would see increases in both unit rates and fixed charges across all consumption blocks. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has paid tribute to 41-year-old Anuruddha Kumara, a line technician who lost his life on Wednesday while restoring power in the Kurunegala area.

Kumara, who began his career in 2007 as a temporary linesman in Dambulla, became a permanent employee of the CEB in 2017 after serving for a decade. He was later transferred to the Ukuwela substation and most recently served at the Hettipola Power Station. According to the CEB, he had been performing his duties as a line technician with distinction since his appointment.

He sustained critical injuries at around 12.45 pm yesterday while working to repair a damaged low-voltage line along the Bowatta–Weerapokuna route, where he reportedly received an electric shock during restoration work.

He was rushed first to the Weerapokuna Base Hospital and then transferred to the Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital. Medical teams at both hospitals made extensive efforts to save him, but he passed away approximately an hour after admission.

The CEB expressed condolences to his family, saluted his service during a national emergency, and said it will extend all support to the family of the deceased worker. (Newswire)

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The General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Shirley Kumara, stated that electricity supply to households in disaster‑affected areas will not be disconnected.

He emphasized that the CEB will not carry out disconnections in these areas due to unpaid bills, and that the relevant charges will instead be added to future billing cycles. At this stage, no form of electricity disconnection will take place.

Kumara further explained that in many affected areas, meter readings cannot be taken and bills cannot be distributed. Therefore, the relevant bills will be issued to consumers in the coming months, while ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply during this period.

He also noted that the adverse weather and resulting disaster situation have caused significant losses to the CEB, which are currently being calculated. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested rooftop solar system owners to voluntarily switch off their solar inverters today until 3:00 PM due to the significantly low demand observed in the system.

The CEB has made the appeal to ensure the reliable and stable operation of the national grid during this emergency situation. 

“Your support is sincerely appreciated in helping to ensure a continuous and secure power supply for the entire nation,” it added. 

The request comes as power supply has been severely affected due to the inclement weather experienced in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Shirley Kumara, announced that approximately 25%–30% of the island’s electricity supply has been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.

Speaking at a media briefing today (28), he said restoring power has become a difficult task, with the Eastern, Central, and Northern provinces most affected.

A key transmission line with a capacity of 132,000 kilowatts connecting Randenigala, Rantambe, and Mahiyanganaya has collapsed and is currently inaccessible for repairs. As a result, the Kotmale and Rantambe hydro power stations have been shut down, with Rantambe affected by heavy silt inflow.

He explained that towers along several transmission routes have been damaged or submerged, making repairs impossible until floodwaters recede. Additional shutdowns include Bowatenna and Upper Kotmale power stations, due to water leakage and muddy inflows.

Currently, only two of Kotmale’s three generators are operational, while other stations are working at maximum capacity. However, widespread outages continue, including in Peradeniya University and Kandy city, where substations have been submerged.

Kumara stressed that certain transmission lines have been deliberately switched off to prevent risks to public safety and equipment damage. Priority is being given to supplying electricity to essential services, with household connections addressed later.

He acknowledged that delays are inevitable, noting that around 7 million consumers are affected, and repairs can only proceed once water levels recede. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Electricity Board says power restoration is underway across the island following weather-related outages.

It is reported that inclement weather conditions have caused several power outages in various areas. 

The CEB urges the public to report power outages and issues using the CEB mobile app. (Newswire)  

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced the implementation of the new tariff for purchasing electricity from Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that are integrated with existing ground-mounted solar PV plants, as well as Rooftop Solar Systems.

According to a CEB statement, under this scheme, electricity discharged from battery storage systems during the night-peak period from 06.30 pm to 10.30 pm will be purchased by the CEB at a rate of Rs. 45.80 per unit (kWh).

The CEB states that this new tariff is designed to encourage solar power producers to adopt energy storage technology, allowing electricity generated during the daytime to be stored and supplied to the national grid during the night, especially at times of high demand.

Per the CEB, eligible customer categories for the new tariff are existing ground-mounted solar power developers and rooftop solar PV customers. (Newswire)

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced that it has decided not to revise electricity tariffs.

Addressing the media today, PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal said that the existing tariff will remain for the next three months, effective from midnight today (14 Oct.).

Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal noted that the decision was taken after reviewing written and oral submissions received during the public consultation process held on the proposed tariff revision. 

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had submitted a tariff review proposal on 27th August 2025, covering the quarter of October–December 2025, in accordance with Section 30 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009.   

The CEB has requested a 6.8% tariff increase, citing rising costs in generation, distribution, and finance. 

The PUCSL last approved an electricity tariff hike of 15% on 12th June 2025. (Newswire)

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