News
Rooftop Solar at Crossroads as Sri Lanka Shifts to Distributed Energy Future
Rooftop solar power in Sri Lanka has reached a critical turning point as the country responds to the combined pressures of the economic crisis, rising electricity tariffs and national climate commitments. What was once considered an optional investment for affluent households is increasingly becoming a practical solution for ordinary consumers, businesses and industries seeking lower energy costs and greater independence from the national grid.
A former General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board observed that repeated tariff increases by the CEB and LECO have significantly accelerated public interest in rooftop solar systems.
According to him, many consumers now view solar power not as a luxury, but as a safeguard against future electricity price hikes and supply uncertainties.
The 2022 fuel shortage and prolonged power cuts further changed public attitudes toward electricity generation. Thousands of Sri Lankans began to recognise the value of producing power at home, while companies and hotels turned to large-scale rooftop solar systems to reduce overheads and improve their environmental image.
Sri Lanka currently supports rooftop solar through several policy mechanisms. Under net metering, surplus electricity generated by a household or business is exported to the grid in exchange for credits on the monthly bill. Net accounting allows credits to be carried forward, while the net plus scheme enables users to sell all electricity generated to the national grid at an approved tariff. These schemes have played an important role in encouraging private investment in renewable energy.
However, the sector still faces major constraints. The initial installation cost remains high for many middle-income families despite the long-term financial benefits. In addition, parts of Sri Lanka’s electricity distribution network are outdated, and transformers in certain areas cannot absorb large volumes of surplus solar energy. Lengthy approval procedures and delays in finalising agreements with utility providers have also discouraged prospective users.
Looking ahead, rooftop solar is expected to become a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s plan to generate 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Energy experts believe the next stage of development will involve hybrid systems that combine solar panels with battery storage. As lithium-ion battery prices continue to fall globally, more households and businesses are likely to store daytime solar energy for use at night or during power interruptions.
Commercial users are also expected to adopt battery systems to reduce peak-hour electricity consumption and lower operating costs. At the same time, banks may expand green financing schemes to make solar systems more affordable, while private companies could introduce power purchase agreement models that allow consumers to install systems with little or no upfront investment.
The future of rooftop solar will also depend on the emergence of smarter electricity networks. Digital meters and real-time monitoring systems could improve efficiency, while peer-to-peer energy trading may eventually allow households with excess electricity to sell directly to nearby consumers.
The former CEB General Manager said Sri Lanka now has a rare opportunity to transform its energy sector through distributed generation.
He stressed that if administrative procedures are simplified and the national grid is modernised, rooftop solar could become the main source of electricity for millions of Sri Lankans rather than a limited alternative for a few.
By Ifham Nizam
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]
Airbus bribe case:
Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva yesterday (20) granted bail to Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan, who allegedly received money to stand as sureties for the late former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena. They were identified as residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, situated next to the Hulftsdorp court complex.
Chandrasena was found dead at his brother-in-law, Aravinda De Silva’s residence, at No. 38, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya, on 8 May.
The Magistrate also granted bail to B. A. Tissa and Perumal Ganesh, who arranged for Riswan and Irshan to stand as sureties for Chandrasena, who is under investigation for allegedly receiving a USD 2 million bribe through his wife to facilitate an Airbus deal. They, too, residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, were granted bail on two personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each.
Airbus had to pay USD 4 billion in penalties after admitting it had paid huge bribes to secure contracts in 20 countries. Sri Lanka is among them.
The Magistrate directed that the Grama Niladhari should certify their residence and the relevant certificates submitted to court and to establish the financial status of those who stood as sureties for the four persons.
The court was told that Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan obtained 17 Grama Niladhari certificates from January till May 2026. On the basis of a statement recorded from Keselwatta Grama Niladhari S. Nilantha Silva police informed court that the first suspect had obtained 10 certificates and the second person seven.
Fourth suspect Ganesh had first met those who stood as sureties, on 05 May, in the court premises and struck the deal. Crime OIC of Keselwatta Police, Sub Inspector K.W.D. Anuruddha, told court that Mohamed Riswan, Mohamed Irshan and B. A. Tissa hadn’t even known who Chandrasena was and were not related to him in anyway, according to investigations. Police requested that the four persons be further remanded.
The Magistrate granted them bail and set the next hearing for 25 June.
Legal sources said that such illegal practices were rampant, and in this particular case the Court Registrar should have been able to see that the sureties were very much unlikely to be relatives of Chandrasena.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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