News
Dullas smells rat, requests STF security for Control Centre
By Ifham Nizam
Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday asked for Special Task Force (STF) protection for the System Control Centre of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). His request came following the recent countrywide power failure, which lasted for nearly seven hours.
The Island
learns that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has not ruled out the possibility of sabotage though CEB Chief Eng. Vijitha Herath said initial investigations had revealed that the countrywide blackout on Monday was due to a human error.
Apart from the security measures already in place, Minister Alahapperuma had asked Defence Secretary Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne for additional security backup, the CEB said.
The Power Minister also gave strict instructions during an inspection tour yesterday to the System Control Centre to inquire into the Monday’s blackout.
The CEB would have to resort to emergency power/diesel power that would cost Rs. 200 million aday and the estimation goes to one billion rupees till Norochcholai Power Plants were back in operation next weekend, sources said.
A senior engineer said that the Norochcholai Power Plant Complex, three power plants 300MWx3 had to be shut down due to Kerawalapitiya power disruption and it would take three to four days to start the boiler (DRUM), etc.
Diesel power, particularly emergency power had to be used as an alternative, an official said adding without Norochcholai output there was a massive shortage; power shedding is on the cards for some areas for next three to four days.
Technical issues at the Kerawalapitiya Grid Sub-station was the prime cause of the countrywide power failure that lasted for more than six hours while some areas experienced power blackout for more than 10 hours.
Minister Alhapperum has directed the CEB to ensure that there will not a similar occurrence.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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