Colombo, March 31 Sri Lanka has decided to increase electricity prices, effective April 1, the power authorities said.
The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), KPL Chandralal, said on Monday that the state-owned electricity entity, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), had requested a hike of over 13.5 per cent across different usage blocks, based on the units consumed.
"However, considering the difficulties faced by all sectors – households and industries – the increase will be limited to 8.5 per cent," Chandralal said.
The tariff revision proposal submitted by the CEB was analyzed by the PUCSL, and after public consultations, the commission decided to increase the tariffs, he said.
This tariff increase means that those consuming over 180 units will see a 25 per cent increase.
If fuel prices rise significantly, and CEB costs increase by over 15 per cent, the utility can make a new submission, he said. "In that event, we are prepared to consider such a proposal."
Issuing guidelines to conserve energy in the state sector, the Commissioner General of Essential Services said that all air conditioners must be switched off in all state institutions by 3 pm.
All illuminated advertising hoardings must be switched off by 8 pm. All local councils must take action to switch off street lights between 6-10 pm, and the national grid supply must not be used to power functions with more than 100 people.
Earlier this month, a fuel rationing system based on a QR code was introduced after weeks of long queues at petrol stations.
The government said it was working with Russia to obtain crude oil in light of the current supply chain difficulties due to the war in the West Asia.
The Tourism Authority announced on Monday that tourist arrivals had dropped by over 18 per cent by March 25, year on year, a direct result of the Middle East war.