Irregular power-cut begins .... without prior notice

Irregular power-cut begins .... without prior notice

Since a problematic issue has developed about the electricity capacity in the country, Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Mr. Ajit P. Perera has officially announced to the

media that there would be a power-cut in various areas in the country for some hours, yesterday (14).

As a result of this situation, there was a breakdown in electricity at various points yesterday. Emigration and Immigration office in Punchi Borella was subjected to disarray and issuing of emergency passports too was delayed as a consequence. Usual work carried out in hospitals, factories including a number of institutions could not function and railway transport also was paralyzed. Several areas including Dehiwala and Nugegoda suffered an unanticipated power-cut without prior notice today (15).

The government does not attribute the cause of the sudden breakdown in electricity in the recent past to a power-cut, but to a technical fault. Because of those shortcomings, news that the chairman would resign, appointing a committee and that the premier is not willing to grant pardon etceteta were reported. When the situation was such, the Deputy Minister now speaks of an issue relating to electricity capacity.

Because of an electricity breakdown all over the country there was a loss of 900 megawatts from Norochchole Power Plant. Explaining this the Deputy Minister has mentioned that there is a shortage of about 350 - 400 megawatts by now. His contention is that owing to the drought prevailing at present it is not possible to provide about 3900 megawatts obtained from the Ceylon Electricity Board and private power stations only. The Minister also makes a request from the public to use electricity sparingly; having taken into consideration the difficult circumstances encountered on this occasion. Whatever it is, the Deputy Minister says that the time schedule when the power-cut is enforced is not announced for the convenience of the public and that it is something that is done on purpose by the government.  In this context what the Deputy Minister says is that if some specific time period is notified, it may result in the efforts exercised in using electricity sparingly would turn out to be unsuccessful. He also mentions that under such conditions the procedure of power-cuts enforced from area to area without prior notice has to be borne in order to face the prevailing situation.

 A power-cut was seen during Chandrika's rule around 1995 because of a problem in capacity such as now in which circumstances that her government too was subjected to public disapproval.