Ceylon Electricity: Power Challenges, Solutions, and Future Prospects

  Sri Lanka's CEB Restructure: Why Four "Private" Companies? The Sri Lanka Electricity Board (CEB) is undergoing a major government-led restructure. For better management, the CEB's functions will be split into four independent, government-owned private limited companies . This move has sparked a lot of debate, with many people assuming that the use of the word "private" means the CEB will be sold off. But is that true? Let's break down what's really happening. The New Structure of the CEB The restructuring will create four new entities, each with a specific role: Electricity Generation Lanka (Private) Limited: This company will handle the generation of electricity. National Transmission Network Service Provider (Private) Limited: This entity will manage the country's entire power transmission system. Electricity Distribution Lanka (Private) Limited: This company will be responsible for distributing electricity to consumers. National System Op...

  Power Up Your Home: The Ultimate Guide to 3-Phase Wiring When you think about the electricity in your home, you probably imagine a standard setup. It handles your lights, your fridge, and maybe a few air conditioners. But for some homes, especially those with high power demands or special equipment, a single-phase system just isn't enough. That's where 3-phase wiring comes in. This guide will walk you through what it is, how it works, and why it might be the perfect solution for your home. What Exactly is 3-Phase Power? At its simplest, single-phase power uses two wires to deliver electricity: a live wire and a neutral wire. The voltage cycles up and down, which is fine for most appliances. Three-phase power, however, uses four wires: three live wires and one neutral wire. The key difference is that the three live wires carry voltage waves that are out of sync with each other. They're spaced 120 degrees apart in their cycle. Why does this matter? Because with three waves ...

  Getting Electricity in Sri Lanka: Your Guide to a New Connection Moving into a new home, building a new house, or setting up a new business? One of the first things you'll need is a reliable electricity supply. In Sri Lanka, this process can sometimes seem a bit confusing, but it's manageable if you know the steps. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your new electricity connection smoothly, whether you're dealing with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) or Lanka Electricity Company (LECO). Who Provides Your Electricity? CEB vs. LECO Before you start, it's important to know which electricity provider serves your area. Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB): This is the main national electricity provider, covering most of the island. If you're outside major urban areas or in certain parts of cities, CEB will likely be your provider. Lanka Electricity Company (LECO): LECO operates in specific urban and semi-urban areas, primarily in the West...

  Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) Explained: Your Guide to Home Energy Usage You've probably seen "kWh" on your electricity bill or heard it mentioned when talking about electric vehicles or solar panels. But what exactly is a kilowatt-hour ? It sounds a bit technical, but understanding it is key to managing your energy use and saving money. Think of it as the standard way we measure the amount of electricity you actually use in your home. It’s not about how powerful an appliance is, but how much work it does over time. What's the Difference Between Kilowatts and Kilowatt-Hours? Let's break down the terms. Kilowatt (kW): A kilowatt is a unit of power . Power is the rate at which electricity is used or produced at any given moment. Imagine it like the speed of a car. A 100-watt light bulb uses 100 watts of power when it's on. A vacuum cleaner might use 1,000 watts (or 1 kW). So, 1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. This tells you how much electricity an appliance needs to run...

  Navigating the Tides: How a Tariff Tweak Turned CEB's Fortunes Around The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is back in the black, a remarkable turnaround that has everyone talking. After facing a staggering Rs. 18.47 billion loss in the first quarter of 2025, the state-owned utility has reported a profit of Rs. 5.31 billion for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. This pivot from deep red to a healthy profit is a testament to the powerful impact of a recent electricity tariff revision. Just a few months earlier, the picture was starkly different. Following a 20% tariff reduction in January 2025 by the new government, the CEB had been hemorrhaging money. This well-intentioned move, aimed at providing relief to consumers, ultimately came at a significant financial cost to the board, contributing heavily to the massive first-quarter losses. The shift in strategy, with the government adjusting tariffs again in June, aligns directly with a key requirement from the International Monetary Fun...

  CEB's Rush to Hire Engineers Sparks Allegations of Favoritism and Waste In a move that has raised eyebrows across Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is accelerating the recruitment of 60 engineers, even as the state-owned utility prepares for a major government-mandated restructuring. The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) is now publicly questioning the "unholy haste" of this process, alleging potential nepotism and a serious waste of public funds. Why Recruit Now? The Core of the Controversy The controversy stems from the recent passing of the Electricity (Amendment) Act. This legislation mandates that the CEB be restructured into separate entities handling generation, transmission, and distribution, a process set to begin this month. A key component of this reform is a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for existing employees. Sanjeewa Dhammika, General Secretary of the ECA, finds the timing of new recruitment inexplicable. “This is highly questionabl...