Govt. gazettes revised Sri Lanka Electricity Bill

• Plans to present to Parliament next week for sector overhaul 

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera

The Government has published the proposed electricity sector reforms in the gazette on Wednesday, now named the Sri Lanka Electricity Bill. 

The crucial legislation is now set to be presented to Parliament during the next sitting week.

Taking to ‘X’ Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera noted that amendments proposed by stakeholders in January have been incorporated into the revised Bill. 

He also stated that the Bill allows the public a two-week window from the date of its presentation in Parliament to challenge its legality in the Supreme Court. 

On 20 November 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to restructure the CEB; where the plan included the State-run organisation to be split into separate companies. Later, the first Bill was revised amid concerns from stakeholders including lenders.

The objects of the Act, in relation to the generation, transmission, distribution, trade, supply and procurement of electricity shall be; 

to ensure improved Electricity Industry 15 performance through independent and accountable corporate entities responsible for the provision and maintenance, of a well-coordinated, efficient and economical system of electricity supply throughout Sri Lanka at all times through transparent policies

to facilitate the establishment of independent and accountable corporate entities for the efficient supply of electricity throughout the country and to protect the interests of the consumers 

to promote and facilitate the establishment and functioning of the Wholesale Electricity Market 

to promote competition in Electricity Industry by eliminating preferential treatment and barriers to entry, allowing open competitive procurement of new generation capacity including renewable energy, implementing transparent, merit order dispatch of generation capacity and providing non-discriminatory access to the transmission network for all types of generation technologies and consumers 

to ensure that entities who licenses have been granted under this Act (hereinafter referred to as “licensees”) will act efficiently in carrying out the activities authorised or required by the respective licences issued to them

to ensure that all reasonable demands for electricity, including future requirements for electricity are met, whilst ensuring efficient use of electricity supplied to all premises 

to protect the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission, distribution, trade, supply and procurement of electricity by improved safety standards, reliability and quality of services

to identify the tariff principles to ensure affordability of electricity to all consumers and financial viability of licensees

and to provide for the decarbonisation of the Sri Lankan Electricity Industry and the promotion of renewable energy and energy integration in accordance with Sri Lanka’s national policies and its international obligations whilst ensuring optimal use of natural resources

Sri Lanka Electricity Bill represents a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to restructure and improve the electricity sector.