Government Seeking to Destroy Solar Power Projects Under Influence of Fuel and Thermal Power Plant Mafia, Says Sajith Premadasa

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of strengthening what he described as the “fuel and thermal power plant mafia” by removing the Net Metering and Net Accounting schemes and introducing the Net Plus system for solar power.

Premadasa said that although the government speaks about renewable energy, its actions are directly and indirectly promoting fuel- and thermal-based power generation.

He made these remarks when he met officials of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to raise concerns over measures he said were being taken by the government against solar power projects.

During the meeting, Premadasa met PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal, Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe, Deputy Director General Kanchana Siriwardena, Commission Secretary Nadeeja Warapitiya, and Yasantha Rathuwitana, among others.

Claims Approval of Solar Projects Has Been Suspended

Premadasa claimed that although generating 2,500 MW through solar power could save the country around Rs. 25 billion, the relevant ministry had arbitrarily suspended approvals for solar power projects by putting forward what he described as false arguments.

He described the move as an unlawful process.

PUCSL currently recognises Net Metering, Net Accounting and Net Plus as different rooftop solar connection schemes. Under Net Metering, excess generation can be credited for future consumption; Net Accounting provides payment for exported electricity; while Net Plus separately measures electricity imported from and exported to the grid.

Criticism Over Solar Tariff Reductions

The Opposition Leader also criticised reductions in the tariff paid for solar power.

He said the tariff had been reduced from Rs. 37 to Rs. 27 and subsequently to Rs. 20, arguing that this had discouraged the development of solar power entrepreneurs, contributed to brain drain and encouraged young people to leave the country.

PUCSL records confirm that a fixed rooftop solar tariff of Rs. 37 per unit applied to systems up to 500 kW from October 2022, while the rate was revised to Rs. 27.06 per unit from July 2024. Current tariffs vary according to system capacity.

Premadasa also criticised the government’s approach to the Yugadanavi, Sobadhanavi and Sahasdanavi power projects.

He claimed that although the government had spoken about operating these projects as combined-cycle power plants, the absence of LNG meant they were being operated using diesel fuel. He argued that this strengthened fuel-based power generation.

Call to Promote Renewable Energy

Premadasa said he had approached the PUCSL to defend consumers’ right to access clean and green energy at an affordable price.

He called on the authorities not to become, as he put it, “slaves” of the fuel and thermal power sector and instead to promote renewable energy.

He also called for the immediate approval of solar power projects.

Premadasa further said that several measures would be taken both locally and internationally to challenge what he described as a serious setback to the country’s solar power sector.

The PUCSL has separately been conducting a 2026 review of renewable-energy feed-in tariffs, with the consultation period running until September 28, 2026.

The meeting was attended by Sanka Chandima Abeywardena, Asanka Tennakoon, Dr. Shyam Pathiraja, Dr. Arjuna Perera, Javid Kamil and Sanjeewa Dhamika, among others.