• Says past irregularities should be looked at before new entities are formed
• Seeks accountability for CEB irregularities of the past

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) yesterday (31 August) called for a full audit to be conducted on the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) before the State-owned enterprise (SOE) is unbundled into four new entities, which are to be established under the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 2025 begin operations.

The CEB has been restructured into four separate State-owned companies under the new act. The newly created entities are the National System Operator, the National Transmission Network Service Provider, Electricity Distribution Lanka, and Electricity Generation Lanka.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika questioned how past irregularities within the CEB could be properly examined once the four new companies begin operations.

“When the new companies commence their operations, how can we find out what happened inside the CEB all these years? The institution has taken loans for unnecessary projects, carried out initiatives without proper results, and signed irregular agreements. These must all be looked into. A complete audit must be done, otherwise those who are responsible will escape accountability,” he added.

Energy Ministry Secretary and Acting CEB Chairperson Prof. Udayanga Hemapala was unavailable for comment.

Current CEB employees have been given a two-month period to apply for a transfer to one of the new companies. Those who choose not to transfer will be offered a retirement compensation scheme. The Ministry of Energy also stated that senior management positions in the four new institutions would be filled by appointing top-level engineers from among the existing CEB staff.