COLOMBO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka plans to invite private investment into its electricity transmission network, with four high-voltage lines identified for tendering, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said.
Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 on Monday, Dissanayake said the government expects to call tenders for the four lines shortly.
The identified routes include Puttalam-Wariyapola, Dambulla, and Habarana-Veyangoda. The full list of four lines was not specified.
The move aims to attract private capital for grid modernization and renewable energy integration while reducing pressure on public finances.
Energy experts estimate that upgrading Sri Lanka's electricity grid will require 4 billion to 5 billion U.S. dollars. Dissanayake said the government's energy policy seeks to balance supply reliability with affordable electricity costs.
Sri Lanka's transmission infrastructure remains entirely state-owned despite the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board in March 2026 and the transfer of its functions to six state-owned successor companies. The National Transmission Network Service Provider (Private) Limited currently owns, manages and operates the national grid, including its 220kV and 132kV transmission lines. ■