Industry Bodies Flag Key Gaps in Draft National Electricity Policy ⚡

A coalition of Sri Lanka’s leading chambers and associations, including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and JAAF, has submitted joint observations raising concerns over the Draft National Electricity Policy. • Key Concerns: The industry highlights that the policy lacks depth in addressing affordability, decarbonization, and the long-term financial health of the power sector. • Renewable Energy Impact: Current provisions—such as uncompensated curtailment, removal of feed-in tariffs, and mandatory time-of-use tariffs for rooftop solar—threaten the bankability of projects and risk increasing the cost of capital. • Tariff & Subsidies: Proposed revisions to remove cross-subsidies and restrict household subsidies to under 30 kWh per month are flagged for potential fiscal risks and impact on energy access. • Economic Context: For critical sectors like apparel & textiles, tea, and ICT/BPM, the lack of a clear framework for market competition and energy storage could undermine industrial competitiveness. • Industry Recommendation: The group calls for a comprehensive revision aligned with the Electricity Act, incorporating planning for cross-border trading and emerging technologies to ensure long-term investment confidence. 📈