Thursday May 28, 2026
Thursday May 28, 2026
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
Sri Lanka is set to roll out a countrywide energy efficiency and demand-management drive after the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the launch of the “Surakimu Lanka” National Energy Security Mission, aimed at reducing vulnerability to global fuel shocks and improving the country’s long-term energy resilience.
The decision was made on a resolution submitted by Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake and will be implemented through a coordinated framework involving multiple State institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Energy Ministry, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), and the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, in collaboration with the private sector and the public.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the country’s energy security, with policymakers pointing to a combination of structural and external pressures, including heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, weather-related disruptions such as droughts affecting hydro generation, intermittent fuel supply challenges linked to geopolitical instability, and volatility in global oil prices.
Authorities also noted that the rising cost of fuel imports has placed additional strain on the national economy, a burden that is being further amplified by inefficient and irregular electricity consumption patterns across different user segments.
Against this backdrop, the initiative seeks to shift electricity consumption towards periods of higher renewable energy generation, while also encouraging behavioural changes to improve overall energy efficiency.
The core objective is to better align demand with available renewable supply, particularly solar and hydro generation cycles, thereby reducing reliance on costly thermal power generation during peak periods.
The mission will also focus on public awareness and coordination across Government agencies to promote energy-saving practices, as part of a broader strategy to enhance macroeconomic stability through reduced fuel import dependency.
By integrating demand management with renewable optimisation, the Government expects the initiative to contribute to improved energy security and help cushion the economy from external price shocks in the global energy market.
