CEB dissolved at midnight - 6 companies from today

Marking a historic turning point in Sri Lanka's power sector, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been officially dissolved as of midnight yesterday. In its place, six new fully state-owned companies have been established, which is considered the beginning of a massive restructuring of the country's electricity industry.

Commenting on this, Engineer Dhammika Wimalaratne, the Media Spokesperson for the Ceylon Electricity Board, stated that a special gazette notification has been issued, transferring the functions and responsibilities previously held by the CEB to the six new successor companies. Through this gazette notification, effective from today, March 9, 2026, the operations of the parent institution, established under the Ceylon Electricity Board Act No. 17 of 1969 and in existence for fifty-six years, officially come to an end.

Under this new structure, these six new companies will individually bear responsibilities for the sectors of electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and system operations. Furthermore, with this step, the remaining provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 will also come into effect, except for a few specifically mentioned clauses.

Due to this restructuring process, the operational structure of the Ceylon Electricity Board will be completely terminated, and the duties of its staff members have been transferred to the new companies. Mr. Wimalaratne stated that all employees, except those who applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), have been assigned to these six new companies, and their appointment letters are scheduled to be issued starting tomorrow (March 10).

Employees who opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme are considered to have resigned from their positions as of last night. Their resignation letters are expected to be issued today, but the related benefits will be provided to them later.

Meanwhile, the position of Media Spokesperson attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board will also be abolished henceforth, and each newly established company is expected to appoint its own media spokesperson. However, the spokesperson assured the public that this institutional transformation would not cause any disruption to the country's electricity generation or supply.

Additionally, as part of the restructuring process, Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) will also be placed under the newly established distribution company.

The spokesperson further pointed out that this step, considered one of the most important reforms in the history of the country's electricity industry, is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of Sri Lanka's power sector.