FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — Sri Lanka has officially designated March 9, 2026, as the date for the full implementation of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, which will initiate the structural unbundling of the state-operated Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
In an Extraordinary Gazette published on Thursday, Minister of Energy Punya Sri Kumara Jayakodi announced that the provisions of the new act will become operational next Monday, March 9. This development comes after the completion of several key milestones necessary for the transition in the power sector, including a transfer plan, a national policy, and technical roadmaps.
While the majority of the act’s provisions will take effect on March 9, some sections related to the initial establishment and administrative functions have been operational since June 27, 2024.
The new law is designed to reform the financially troubled utility by dividing its core functions—generation, transmission, and distribution—into independent entities to enhance efficiency and transparency. This unbundling is a significant element of Sri Lanka’s broader energy reform agenda, aimed at encouraging private sector involvement and establishing a more competitive electricity market.
(Colombo/Mar6/2026)
