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Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
Featured Insight
Electricity Bills in Sri Lanka: Highest in South Asia
Sri Lankans pay 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than South Asian neighbours In 2023, Sri Lanka revised its electricity charges three times in February, July and October. The stated basis for the increase, was to recover the full cost of providing electricity. This analysis compares the electricity charges on households in Sri Lanka in December 2023 with what households are paying in other South Asian countries. Two findings emerge that justify public concern on electricity bills in Sri Lanka: 1) Sri Lanka has the highest household electricity cost of any South Asian country (see Exhibit 1, comparing against the highest cost areas of supply in other countries). 2) Sri Lankan households are paying c. 2.5 to 3 times more for electricity than the average cost to their counterparts in South Asian countries (see Exhibit 2). A tariff decrease is planned in Feb 2024; this new structure would result in cost reduction in the electricity bill of around 4% or less. Therefore, it will not make a dent in Sri Lanka occupying the position of paying the highest prices for electricity in the region at a multiple of 2.5 to 3 times of what is paid by households in South Asia. The analysis is based on comparing households that consume between 100 to 300 units of electricity per month on single-phase lines (excluding any government taxation on electricity). Exhibit 2 shows that consuming 100 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 5,280, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 2,078. Consuming 300 units in Sri Lanka costs LKR 21,860, while the average for South Asia is equivalent to LKR 7,340. Exhibit 1:
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Petrol & Diesel Market Prices vs. Formula Price in October
Following the monthly fuel price revision for October, the market price of 92-octane petrol is LKR 10 above the fuel price formula, and the market price of Auto diesel is LKR 22 above the fuel price formula, as shown by the
2024-10-02
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A Sri Lankan Household Spends 24% of Average Monthly Expenditure for One Full Tank of Petrol
Sri Lanka's fuel prices increased rapidly within the last few months, even though the Government representatives stated that Sri Lanka still had the lowest fuel prices in the region. However, with the latest fuel prices purchasing a full tank (45 Liters) of Petrol...
2022-05-05
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What does the Government’s acquisition of four-wheeled passenger vehicles for the use of Ministries look like over the years?
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Report on the 2018 Budget provides information on the number of four-wheeled passenger vehicle purchases made by the Central Government between 2012–2016. The Government purchased a total of 2,017...
2021-05-25
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