Limited power cuts from today
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to impose limited
power interruptions in several areas of the country from today to at
least until July 28 (Saturday) to conserve the remaining hydro
resources.
Power will be interrupted daily for 02 hours and 15 minutes (maximum)
in the day time between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm and 45 minutes in the evening
from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm in selected areas.
The CEB said that it regretfully informs the public that it has been
compelled to impose limited load shedding due to the prevailing
situation.
The Power and Energy Ministry in a release said that thermal power
had been used to produce 75 per cent to 88 per cent of the countrys
power generation needs during the last 7 months.
Due to the successive failures of monsoons, annual Hydro power
generation had fallen from 40 per cent to 12 per cent and 20 per cent.
In this backdrop the power grid had to be strengthened with the use of
270 MW from Kerawalapitiya and 300 MW capacity from the coal power plant
in Puttalam, the CEB said.
Due to technical failures in the two power plants recently the power
grid lost a total of 400 MW and as such authorities were facing
difficulties in balancing the power needs, CEB added.
The CEB chairman Dr. Wimaladharma Abeywickrema said that due to the
prevailing situation authorities had no option but to impose limited
power cuts in certain areas.Accordingly power interruptions will be
imposed under four categories from 8.30 am 10.45 am, 10.45 am 1.00
pm, 1.00 pm 3.15 pm and 3.15 5.30 pm in areas of Anuradhapura,
Habarana, Vavuniya, Thulhiriya, Pannala, Bolawatte, Puttalam, Kurunegala,
Chilaw, Madampe, Ampara, Trincomalee, Biyagama, Katunayake, Kosgama,
Keleniya, Aniyakanda, Veyangoda, Athurugiriya, Pannipitiya, Seethawaka,
Embilipitiya, Badulla, Nuwaraeliya, Rantembe, Ambalangoda, Deniyaya,
Galle, Matara, Matugama, Panadura, Kiribathkumbura, Horana, Panadura,
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Dehiwela, Valachchenai, Kotugoda,
Sapugaskanda, Ukuwela, Hambamtota, Beliatta Ratmalana and areas
adjoining the above.
In the Colombo city power will be intterupted in Galle face,
Janadhipathi Mawatha, Vauxhall Street, Dickmon Road, Independence
Avenue, Jawatte, Torrington Avenue, Horton Place, Rosmead Place, Borella,
Cotta Road, Barnes Place, Ward Place,Town Hall, Dam Street, Sugathdasa
Ground area, Grand Pass and Premadasa Stadium area from 8.30 am 10.45
am.
From 10.45 am 1.00 pm power will be interrupted in areas of Empire
city, Bambalapitiya Flats, Havelock Road, Kirulapone, Mayura Place,
Gothami Road, Ananda Rajakaruna Road, Maligawatte, Sangaraja Mawatha,
Jethawana Road, St.Johns Street,
Ketawalamulla, Messenger Street,.From 1.00 pm to 3.15 pm power will
be disconnected to areas, York Street, 01st and 02nd
cross streets, Chatham Street, Sir Baron Jayatilleke mw., part of
Galle Face, Union Place, Dharmapala Mawatha, Liberty Plaza,
Kollupitiya Market, Bambalapitiya, Elvitigala Mawatha, Ananda
Kumaraswamy Mawatha, Punchi Borella, Dematagoda, Baseline Road,
Bodhiraja Mawatha, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Technical Junction,
Port area.
From 3.15 pm 5.30 pm Crescat Residencies, NDB Bank complex, Nawam
Mawatha, Havelock City,Wellawatte, Albert Crescent, Cambridge place, Sir
Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Wijayarama road, Baudhaloka Mawatha,
Wanathamulla, Manning Market, Olcott Mawatha, Pettah, Kotahena, Alwis
Place.
In the above areas power will be disconnected in the evening for 45
minutes from 6.30 pm 7.15 pm,7.15 pm 8.00 pm, 8.00 8.45 pm and
8.45 9.30 pm.The CEB says that all its regional offices will be made
aware of the interruptions schedules and public could get information
from them. Also the public could approach hot line 1987 for information. |