Sri Lankan parliamentarian D.V. Chanaka has cautioned that electricity tariffs may rise again if the country fails to receive adequate rainfall, potentially burdening households and the tourism sector.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament D.V. Chanaka has warned that electricity tariffs face upward pressure if rainfall levels fall short of expectations in the coming months. Speaking on the 'Derana 360°' programme, Chanaka highlighted the vulnerability of the nation's power supply to weather patterns, noting that hydroelectric generation depends heavily on precipitation while solar energy assists in stabilizing the grid during daylight hours.
The parliamentarian pointed to a significant gap between government promises and outcomes, observing that despite pledges to reduce electricity tariffs by approximately one-third, rates have instead increased by a similar margin compared to previous levels. He cautioned that any additional tariff increase would impose considerable strain on both ordinary citizens and the tourism industry ahead of the peak travel season.
Chanaka attributed part of the tariff pressure to coal-related generation losses, explaining that only about 10% of such losses were incorporated into the most recent tariff adjustment. According to the MP, these unavoidable losses will persist until fresh coal supplies arrive to support power generation. He indicated that the remaining costs would need to be recovered either through general tax revenue or directly passed on to electricity consumers, presenting the government with limited options to contain costs.