News
CEB officials blamed for blocking report on December blackout
By Ifham Nizam
Some senior officials of the Ministry of Power are blocking the release of reports revealing those responsible for the blackout in the Kotte area on 02 December 2021, senior CEB Engineers allege.
They claim that CEB Chairman M. M. C. Ferdinando and CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga are attempting to investigate the incident, but certain powerful forces are protecting those behind the blackout.
Following the outage during a go-slow of the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) a Chief Engineer of CEB complained to the Criminal Investigation Department that it was an act of sabotage. The CID launched a probe, but it has been stalled, according to sources, which said that the incident in Kotte and the countrywide blackout the following day had been acts of sabotage.
“As per section 63 of the Electricity Act, these are criminal offences. They carry jail terms. Hats off to the CID for refusing to stop the investigation,” an engineer said. “No wonder some people are desperate to get rid of the current General Manager, who is trying to investigate these blackouts – and replace him with Additional GM Rohantha Abersekera,” he added.
CEBSEA spokesperson Engineer Nandika Pathirage said the CEBEU should be held accountable for leaving the entire country in the dark, and the CEB and the Ministry of Power should immediately conduct a thorough probe.
CEB Engineers Union President Saumya Kumarawadu, contacted for comment, said none in the CEBEU had influenced investigations into the blackout.
It has been reported that two Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter gunners and four Special Forces personnel have been pronounced dead after a SLAF Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this (09) morning.
There were a total of 12 armed forces personnel on board the ill-fated aircraft.
It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
-
Opinion5 days agoRemembering Dr. Samuel Mathew: A Heart that Healed Countless Lives
-
Business3 days agoAitken Spence Travels continues its leadership as the only Travelife-Certified DMC in Sri Lanka
-
Business3 days agoLinearSix and InsureMO® expand partnership
-
Latest News2 days agoNPP win Maharagama Urban Council
-
Features5 days agoTrump’s economic missiles are boomeranging
-
Latest News5 days agoThe Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
-
Business2 days agoNDB Bank partners with Bishop’s College to launch NDB Pixel awareness
-
Sports2 days agoDamsiluni, Buwindu win Under 14 tennis titles