All four main companies established under the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will remain fully under government administration, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated.

 

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department in Colombo on 10 March 2026, the Minister said that while 12 companies had been proposed earlier, only six companies have now been created, ensuring job security for approximately 12,000 employees.

 

Of these six entities, two will perform transitional functions related to the restructuring process. The remaining four operational companies are:

 

• National System Operator (NSO)

• National Transmission Network Service Provider Private Limited

• Electricity Generation Lanka Private Limited

• Electricity Distribution Limited

 

The Minister emphasized that these entities will remain fully under state administration.

 

Previously, electricity generation, distribution, transmission, and system management were handled within four divisions of the CEB. These divisions have now been converted into separate companies.

 

Last year, the CEB incurred total expenditure of approximately Rs. 500 billion, of which Rs. 400 billion was attributed to electricity generation. 

 

The restructuring aims to improve efficiency and attract investment opportunities while providing electricity to consumers at lower cost.

 

The Minister further noted that the restructuring law was initially passed in Parliament on 27 June 2024, which had proposed establishing 12 companies, with only three under state control. The remaining entities were expected to be privately operated.

 

However, amendments were subsequently introduced to the legislation, and approval was obtained from the courts. The amended law was passed in Parliament in August 2025.

 

Employees were informed of the restructuring in October 2025, and those unwilling to join the new companies were given the option of voluntary retirement. Out of 2,153 employees who applied, 2,113 will be granted retirement with compensation. No changes will be made to salary payments or additional allowances for remaining employees, he added.