Sri Lanka’s energy landscape has been in a state of flux due to the economic crisis and subsequent shortages of foreign exchange reserves. Apart from power outages, households have also had to adjust to consecutive electricity tariff increases, starting from August 2022. Cost-reflective energy pricing was a key component of IMF reforms. The effects of these hikes have been felt disproportionately by the working class poor, particularly in the context of fuel shortages and inflation. High electricity bills have reduced the quality of life of households, increased the gendered burden on women and trapped the working class poor in cycles of debt and disconnection. Electricity consumption is necessary to ensure a good quality of life and is intrinsically connected to health, education, safety and income.

Based on findings from over 3 years of fieldwork in low- income settlements in Colombo, this research brief explores key trends in electricity consumption of the working class poor, examining the impact of tariff increases as well as coping strategies adopted by households.

Read the Research Brief here.

This analysis builds on research undertaken for the Living Off-Grid food and Infrastructure Collaboration (LOGIC) and the Fruits and Vegetables for Sustainable and Healthy Diets initiative (FRESH).