CEB Chairman Anura Wijayapala to resign over blackouts

Power cut Sri Lanka

Third island wide power failure hits Sri Lanka in 6 months

A sudden island-wide power outage occurred at around 2.30pm today (13th March 2016). Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Anura Wijayapala says he is ashamed of the three island-wide blackouts which occurred during last 6 months and that he takes responsibility for the outages.The CEB Chairman says that he has decided to resign from his position once power is completely restored. 

The Ceylon Electricity Board has decided to impose limited power interruptions in several areas of the country from today to at least until July 28th to conserve the remaining hydro resources.

Power will be interrupted daily for 02 hours and 15 minutes 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 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.

The public could approach hot line 1987 for information.