Several areas experience power cuts after Kelanitissa plant shuts down

With operations at the Kelanitissa power plant being halted completely owing to lack of fuel, there is a possibility of power cuts lasting up to one hour being imposed in certain areas, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) stated. 

Meanwhile, power outages lasting nearly two hours or more have been reported from some areas this afternoon and evening. 

The power disruptions will occur only until operations at the Kelanitissa power plant are restored, according to the CEB. 

However, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has now informed the CEB that stocks of fuel required for the Kelanitissa power plant will be provided, operations at the power plant are expected to resume later this evening. 

Earlier, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila stated that the Central Bank has issued funds to obtain fuel from two vessels at the Colombo Port that had arrived carrying fuel. Accordingly, out of 37, 000 Metric Tonnes of fuel in these ships, 10, 000 Metric Tonnes would be given to the CEB, Mr Gammanpila told the media.