News

Power cuts certain as it stands- CEBEU

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Crisis management committee has not met for three months

By Ifham Nizam

The Country would experience rotational power cuts due to the negligence of some top officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) warned yesterday.

A senior Electrical Engineer and one time President of CEBEU told The Island that masses would experience more power cuts unless immediate action was taken.

“The Power Crisis Committee Meeting has not been held for three months by the CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga despite our warnings,” a committee member of the CEBEU said.

The power shortage would be due to shortage in the installed power generating capacity to meet the forecasted demand and also due to a possible fuel shortage affecting power generation, they said.

“Despite repeated warnings by the CEBEU as a Trade Union and our members in their official capacities, CEB Chairman and outgoing General Manager Eng. M.R. Ranatunga had not taken any steps to plan and prepare for such an eventuality. Despite repeated requests, no “Power Crisis Meetings”, a regular meeting convened by all past GMs to identify impending power shortages and to make any adjustments early, has not been held during the term of present GM,” a senior engineer said.

CEBEU also said it was critically important for all authorities to identify at least now itself why there was a severe project implementation delay in the country and address the Causes of such Problems (to eliminate the Problem) instead of blaming the Effects/Results of the problem.

“We wish to caution authorities not to allow a crisis to take place and thereafter resort to very expensive short-term solutions such as supplementary power (popularly referred to as emergency power) purchasing to overcome only the effects of the problem,” the Union added.

Non-implementation or the delaying of scheduled power plants and the cancellation of finalised power plants had resulted in the imminent crisis, the union said. Withholding 150MW ground mounted solar tender by the State Ministry of Renewable Energy Projects Development for more than 15 months and inexcusable dragging of already finalized 350 MW CCY power plant at Kerawalapitiya (Sobadhavi) are some examples of the most recent root causes which are to be readily attended as long-term solutions, the union said, adding that the authorities should conserve fuel for power generation by taking measures to cut down fuel on transport use by resorting to innovative measures such as encouraging and facilitating work from home arrangements immediately.

The Union also pointed out that all authorities should follow the Sri Lanka National Energy Policy recommendations, which were published in 2019 and well before the COVID Pandemic.

“We urge authorities to run this country based on such long-term policies and actions already identified instead of managing from crisis to crisis basis,” the Union added.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/26

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

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 011-744649

News

Sagarika derailment disrupts coastal rail line; services to resume in two days

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.

Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”

The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.

The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.

Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.

Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.

News

PHIs launch Vesak ‘Dansal’ safety registration drive

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have announced that registration of ‘Dansal’ organised islandwide in view of the upcoming Vesak Poya has already commenced.

President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU), K.P. Boralessa, said that organisers intending to conduct ‘Dansal’ are required to inform and register with the PHI attached to the relevant area.

He said organisers must also provide details of the location and the type of ‘Dansal’ being conducted.

Following registration, PHIs will conduct awareness programmes for organisers on maintaining required health and safety standards during the conduct of such events, he added.

Boralessa warned that legal action would be taken against those who organise ‘Dansal’ without proper registration or in an unsafe manner.

He further said PHIs will inspect venues on the eve of each ‘Dansala’ to assess suitability, including waste disposal arrangements, availability of drinking water, quality of water used for cooking, and condition of equipment at the site.

In addition, those involved in food preparation and serving will also be inspected to ensure hygiene standards are maintained, he said.

“These measures are taken to ensure that food provided at ‘Dansal’ is safe and hygienic for the public. Special attention must be paid to the ingredients used, and only healthy ingredients should be utilised,” Boralessa added.