News
Restored Kelanitissa power plant shut down again after four days of use
By Shiran Ranasinghe
The Combined Cycle Power Plant at Kelanitissa was closed down again on Thursday night due to a shortage of naphtha.The plant is capable of producing 165 megawatts of electricity a day with naphtha.CEB Technological Engineers’ and Superintendents’ Union President, A.G.U. Nishantha, said that the plant needed10,000 tonnes of naphtha a day but the CEB had only ordered adequate quantities for four days.
“So, we operated the plant for a few days and had to shut it down. Recently we refurbished the plant at a cost of 3.2 million US dollars. Since then we have been able to operate the plant only for four days,” he said.
Nishantha said the plant was shut down for 585 days from October 2019. An audit report found that the country incurred a loss of 21.5 billion rupees as the CEB had to procure electricity from diesel powered plants to bridge the gap.
“The plant was refurbished afterwards. We spent 3.1 million dollars to fix some pieces of equipment. We sent it to a foreign country. But it broke down again the day we used the refurbished equipment. We then brought down some Chinese engineers and paid them 150,000 dollars to fix the machines. After all these costs, we only used the plant for 800 hours in 2022. It costs about 40 rupees to produce electricity from Naphtha,” he said, adding that electricity produced with naphtha cost less than that generated with coal.
President To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of 209 members arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (07) night on a state visit.
It has been reported quoting the Police, that former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, has been found dead under suspicious circumstances at a residence in Colpetty.
Latest News
Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ in the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the daytime
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 07 May 2026, valid for 08 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the daytime.
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.
President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrives in Sri Lanka on State Visit
Former SriLankan Aorlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead
Fast bowling riches in focus as Bangladesh and Pakistan switch to Test mode
Iran says it attacked US Navy ships after they targeted Iranian tanker
Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ in the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the daytime
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
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