Based on the official PUCSL-approved tariff annex published by Electricity Distribution Lanka (EDL, formerly CEB), effective 11 May 2026. All figures verified against the official document.
What Changed in May 2026
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved a new electricity tariff structure effective 11 May 2026, published under Section 29(9)(b) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024.
The headline changes:
- All consumer categories revised — domestic, religious, general purpose, industrial, hotel, government, and agriculture
- A brand-new category: EV Charging (EVC) — for the first time, electric vehicle charging stations get a dedicated tariff class
- All rates are per 30-day billing period — longer or shorter billing cycles are pro-rated
A 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) continues to apply on top of every monthly bill (in effect since October 2022).
Domestic Tariff — What Your Home Pays
Domestic rates work in blocks (slabs): you pay a different rate for each slice of consumption, plus a monthly fixed charge. The structure depends on how much you use per month.
If you use 0–60 units per month (subsidised band)
| Block | Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charge (Rs./month) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 kWh | 5.00 | 80.00 |
| 31–60 kWh | 9.00 | 210.00 |
If you use 61–180 units per month
| Block | Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charge (Rs./month) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 kWh | 14.00 | — |
| 61–90 kWh | 20.00 | 400.00 |
| 91–120 kWh | 28.00 | 1,000.00 |
| 121–180 kWh | 44.00 | 1,500.00 |
The fixed charge is the highest slab you reach — so a 100-unit bill pays the Rs. 1,000 fixed charge, not every fixed charge added together.
If you use more than 180 units per month
The first 180 units are charged at a flat rate (not laddered):
| Block | Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charge (Rs./month) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–180 kWh | 32.50 | 2,500.00 |
| Above 180 kWh | 100.00 | 2,500.00 |
The jump at 180 units is steep. At 180 units every unit beyond it costs Rs. 100 — nearly double the flat rate. Staying just under 180 saves hundreds of rupees.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — 60 units (Domestic)
- Energy: (30 × 5.00) + (30 × 9.00) = Rs. 420.00
- Fixed charge: Rs. 210.00
- SSCL 2.5% (grossed-up: subtotal ÷ 97.5 × 2.5): Rs. 16.16
- Total: Rs. 646.16
Example 2 — 150 units (Domestic)
- Energy: (60 × 14.00) + (30 × 20.00) + (30 × 28.00) + (30 × 44.00) = Rs. 3,600.00
- Fixed charge: Rs. 1,500.00
- SSCL 2.5% (grossed-up): Rs. 130.77
- Total: Rs. 5,230.77
Example 3 — 300 units (Domestic)
- Energy: (180 × 32.50) + (120 × 100.00) = Rs. 17,850.00
- Fixed charge: Rs. 2,500.00
- SSCL 2.5% (grossed-up): Rs. 521.80
- Total: Rs. 20,871.80
→ Check your own bill on the CEB & LECO calculator
Religious & Charitable Institutions
| Block | Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 kWh | 4.50 | 75.00 |
| 31–90 kWh | 4.50 | 200.00 |
| 91–120 kWh | 8.00 | 350.00 |
| 121–180 kWh | 19.00 | 1,300.00 |
| 0–180 (above-180 band) | 11.80 | 2,000.00 |
| Above 180 kWh | 35.00 | 2,000.00 |
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates — New for Larger Consumers
Industrial, hotel, general purpose, and government consumers on higher-voltage supplies pay different rates by time of day:
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Day | 05:30 – 18:30 |
| Peak | 18:30 – 22:30 |
| Off-Peak | 22:30 – 05:30 |
Example — General Purpose Rate 2 (>180 kWh/month, 400/230 V, >42 kVA): Day 51.00, Peak 78.00, Off-Peak 40.00 Rs./kWh — shifting usage to after 10:30 pm cuts the rate by more than half vs peak.
Larger categories also pay a maximum demand charge (Rs. 1,500–1,800 per kVA) on top of energy and fixed charges.
New: EV Charging Category (EVC)
The May 2026 revision introduces a dedicated tariff for EV charging — a first for Sri Lanka:
- EVC-1: dedicated EV charging supply at 400/230 V, contract demand ≤ 42 kVA
- EVC-2: same but contract demand > 42 kVA
Both are TOU-only — you pay by time of day, no slabs. A dedicated EV meter is required, and if you resell the electricity you need a PUCSL exemption certificate or No Objection Letter.
Public charging station rates (what the station charges your vehicle)
| Charging type | Day | Peak | Off-Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Fast Charging | 87.00 | 111.00 | 53.00 |
| AC Level 2 Charging | 70.00 | 90.00 | 40.00 |
Overnight charging (22:30–05:30) costs about half of peak rates — the cheapest way to run an EV.
Other Categories at a Glance
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Street lighting | Flat 60.00 Rs./kWh |
| Agriculture (optional TOU) | Day 14.00 / Peak 28.00 / Off-Peak 8.00 + Rs. 750 fixed |
| Industrial | 3 rate classes by voltage & contract demand; TOU + demand charge for larger supplies |
| Hotel | 3 rate classes, similar structure to industrial |
| General Purpose | Shops, offices — slab + TOU classes |
| Government | Slab + TOU classes |
How to Verify Your Own Bill
- Check your meter readings on the bill — units = present reading − previous reading
- Count the days between the two reading dates — the tariff assumes 30; the calculator pro-rates
- Match your consumer category (domestic for homes)
- Run it through the bill calculator — it shows the per-block breakdown so you can see exactly what CEB/LECO charged
Sources
- PUCSL — Electricity Tariff Revision May 2026 (official annex, Electricity Distribution Lanka)
- Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, Section 29(9)(b)
- SSCL Act No. 25 of 2022 (2.5% levy)