News

Norochcholai running out of coal, six to eight hour power cuts loom

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/17

By Ifham Nizam

The contry risks six to eight hours per day power cuts down the road if coal supplies for the Norochcholai coal power plant are not sustained, CEB officials said on Friday.”If all coal shipments cannot be cleared because of the cash crisis, the coal plant cannot run after August and six to eight hour power cuts can be expected,” senior electrical engineers confirmed.The last two coal shipments for the Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Power Plant for this season have arrived but unloading awaits letters of credit (LOC) clearance.

“The main issue is Sri Lankan rupees; and the climatic conditions are also about to change with the monsoon approaching.

Already six shipments were canceled. If the owners refuse to unload without LOCs or the monsoon arrives, 900MW capacity will not be available from mid-August this year,” he warned.Heavy demurrage costs are being incurred over delayed discharge. This costs about USD 30,000 a day. Already costs of over USD 100,000 has been incurred on this account.

Engineers also stressed that coal is no longer a cheap option for power generation with a single unit of coal power costing over Rs. 28 for coal alone.

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Bus fares increased by 12.19% from midnight today [23]

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Bus fares have been increased by 12.19% with effect from midnight today [23rd March 2026].

The minimum fare will be increased from Rs 27 to Rs 30 while the maximum fare of Rs2159/- will be increased to 2422/-

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Public will not be served as Computer system failure at Department of Registration of Persons

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

The Acting Commissioner General of Registration of Persons has announced that due to an unexpected failure of the computer system of the Department of Registration of Persons, all services, including the one day service will not be held on Tuesday (24th March) at the Head Office and all Provincial offices.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts

Published

18 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya 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.