News
Apparel producers decry 400% off-peak electricity price hike
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The off peak electricity tariff has increased by about 400 percent and this is an obstacle to garment factories to operate 24-hours a day, Deputy Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Felix Fernando, says.
Fernando said that raw materials are the main expenses of a garment factory, followed by salaries, and electricity. The increase in electricity tariff, since August 2022, have had a significant impact on the bottom-line of garment factories, he added.
“We don’t know if energy prices will drop by June but things are looking bad now. There is a 20 to 25 percent reduction in the orders received by factories in general. Most factories now operate around 16-18 hours a day. We need to run a factory 24 hours to make a profit. But there is a problem in running a factory for 24 hours now. Off peak charges have increased by about 400 percent. We spent about six rupees per unit of electricity, during off peak, in June 2022. Now we spend over 30 rupees,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka’s main competitors in the region are Bangladesh, Vietnam and India. In these countries the cost of electricity is about 09 to 10 cents U.S dollars, per kilowatt hour.
“It was the same case in Sri Lanka but now we spend about 12 cents U.S dollars, per kilowatt hour. This is not good. The JAAF has added 200 MWs through solar energy to the national grid but we haven’t been paid for seven months by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB),” he said.
The JAAF Deputy Chairman added that its members are not parking their dollar earnings outside the country, however, the state has to take action if anyone does that.
“We need to take steps to extend the GSP + facility. However, the EU is not too happy with Sri Lanka because of the restrictions on imports. We need to diversify. We need trade agreements with India and China. These are big markets. For example, we export only about eight million units of clothing to India, per annum, but Bangladesh sends so much more clothes to India,” he said.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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