Electricity tariffs across all consumer categories in Sri Lanka increased from April 1 after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved a roughly 10% overall revision for the second quarter of 2026.
Domestic consumers using more than 180 units per month face the steepest increase at 25.3%, making heavy residential users the hardest hit by the latest revision.
Broad-based increases
The tariff hike affects all sectors, including industrial consumers, hotels, and government institutions, all of which will see significant increases in their electricity bills. The PUCSL’s quarterly tariff revision mechanism, introduced as part of Sri Lanka’s ongoing reforms, allows rates to be adjusted based on generation costs and fuel prices.
The revision adds to cost-of-living pressures that have persisted since Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, particularly for middle-class households whose consumption typically exceeds the 180-unit threshold.
New EV charging tariff
A separate tariff category for electric vehicle charging stations also took effect on April 1, reflecting the government’s push to formalise the EV ecosystem. The new category comes as several banks and leasing companies have launched dedicated EV financing products, and follows the PUCSL’s broader effort to structure tariffs around emerging energy use patterns.
The tariff revision is the latest in a series of quarterly adjustments. Consumer advocacy groups have called for greater transparency in how generation costs are calculated, arguing that efficiency gains at the Ceylon Electricity Board should offset the need for frequent increases.