Power cuts lengthened

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday stated the power supply would be interrupted for three hours and 20 minutes with effect from today in several areas of the country including Colombo.

The CEB said the decision to extend the duration of power cuts was taken due to the breakdown of the Norochcholai power plant and extended dry weather.

It stated the engineers at the Norochcholai power plant attempted to resume the power generation in the plant several times without success. Under these circumstances, the CEB has decided to deactivate the entire plant renovation.

Hydro power generation has also dropped to 14 percent as at yesterday due to low water levels in reservoirs.

The Power and Energy Ministry in a release said that load shedding would be implemented in 78 regions and Colombo in three stages from 8 am to 6 pm. However, the power supply will not be interrupted in industrial and investment zones and hospitals.

The CEB will not interrupt the power supply at night due to the ongoing A-L examination.