Govt. enters talks on regional power grid

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Sri Lanka has initiated formal talks on joining a regional power grid linking South and Southeast Asian countries, supported by the Asian Development Bank, but has not yet made a final policy decision. The government’s ultimate approval will determine Sri Lanka’s integration into the regional electricity market and its collaboration with neighboring countries like India and Myanmar.

Sri Lanka has begun official discussions on joining a regional power grid that aims to link electricity networks across South and Southeast Asia, under an initiative funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). However, the government has yet to make a formal policy decision on whether to participate in the proposed cross-border electricity network.

According to a Ministry of Energy spokesperson, Sri Lanka is actively involved in ongoing talks related to power integration efforts between regional grids. These discussions include cooperation with India and Myanmar, with feasibility studies already conducted on long-term power transmission lines connecting Sri Lanka and Myanmar, as well as linking with the Indian grid.

The initiative is part of a broader ADB-backed plan to enhance regional energy security and facilitate electricity trade among neighboring countries. India has emphasized the importance of the project, highlighting the grid’s potential to support energy exchange and strengthen system reliability across the region.

Despite Sri Lanka’s participation in these discussions, the final decision to join the cross-border grid remains pending at the policy level. Energy officials have indicated that a formal government endorsement is needed before moving forward. The outcome will shape Sri Lanka’s role in the wider regional energy market and determine its integration with neighboring power systems.

The ADB has also encouraged Sri Lanka to improve regulatory frameworks and infrastructure within its power sector to better align with regional grid requirements. This support is expected to address challenges in Sri Lanka’s aging electricity system and create a foundation for sustainable cooperation with India and other regional partners.

Notably, the proposed regional grid excludes Pakistan from its current scope, focusing primarily on countries in South and Southeast Asia. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to build a multi-country electricity network designed to enhance energy resilience and enable cross-border power trade.

Parliamentary review of the initiative in Sri Lanka is ongoing, with lawmakers scrutinizing the potential benefits and costs associated with joining the regional grid. As these evaluations continue, Sri Lanka remains engaged in exploration but has yet to finalize its commitment to the project.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.