Committee to draft national electricity policy

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CABINET Spokesperson and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the Cabinet approved the appointment of a committee to draft Sri Lanka's national electricity policy and guidelines as required under the amended Electricity Act.

The committee will have up to eight members with at least 15 years of expertise in energy policy, renewable energy, energy transition, system planning, and economics.

Dr. Jayatissa said the members include Prof.Mohan Munasinghe, President's Counsel Milinda Gunathilaka, Professor Arulampalam Athputharaja, Engineer W.J.L. Shavindranath Fernando, and Dr.H.M. Gunathilaka.

The Sri Lanka Electricity Act was enacted in June 2024 to modernise the energy sector by restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), promoting private-sector investment and renewable energy.

Dr. Jayatissa said the restructuring includes the establishment of independent corporate entities for generation, transmission, and distribution, and creating a National Electricity Advisory Council to guide policy.

The CEB launched a work-to-rule campaign last week charging the CEB restructuring was illegal.

Their demands also included a 50% pay raise for those who would transition to any of the new entities.