Power charges up by 18% from Friday

By Rathindra Kuruvita

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), on Friday (20), announced that the electricity tariff will be increased by 18 percent starting from October 20.These revised rates will remain in effect until June 30, 2024, PUCSL announced.

The decision to raise tariffs came after the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) requested the PUCSL to adjust electricity prices to offset the costs incurred during periods of arid weather conditions in the country.

With the tariff hike 89 rupees per unit will be charged from users consuming more than 180 units, according to the PUCSL.

Consumers that use between one to 30 units (the lowest category) will now be charged 12 rupees a unit.

Earlier this year, the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) raised the tariff by 66 percent with effect from February 15. There was a reduction in the tariff (14 percent) on 01 July.

The revised fixed charges are as follows:

Domestic category: 0-30 kWh – increased from Rs. 150 to Rs. 180

31-60 kWh – increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 360

61-90 kWh – increased from Rs. 400 to Rs. 480

91-120 kWh – increased from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,180

121-180 kWh – increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,770

181 kWh and above – increased from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,360

Religious and charitable institutions category: 0-30 kWh – increased from Rs. 150 to Rs. 180

31-90 kWh – increased from Rs. 250 to Rs. 300

91-120 kWh – increased from Rs. 600 to Rs. 710

121-180 kWh – increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,770

181 kWh and above – increased from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,360