CEB Records Rs. 38.7 Billion Loss in 2025 Despite Tariff Adjustments

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) recorded a substantial financial loss of Rs. 38.7 billion in 2025, as revealed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's (CBSL) 2025 Annual Economic Review. This deficit occurred despite multiple electricity tariff adjustments throughout the year. The CBSL report indicates that tariff reductions, including an average 20% cut in January 2025 following several reductions in 2024, significantly impacted revenue. Concurrently, higher generation costs, primarily due to increased thermal power generation during the first quarter of 2025 amid dry weather conditions, further contributed to the loss. To mitigate the financial strain, electricity tariffs were subsequently increased by 15% in June 2025. Consequently, the CEB's short-term liabilities escalated from Rs. 174.3 billion at the end of 2024 to Rs. 206.2 billion by the end of 2025, with long-term liabilities also increasing.