News
Mixed signals from CEB on possible power shedding
By Ifham Nizam
Some engineers claimed yesterday that power shedding and random power cuts would take place was coal was in short supply at the Norochcholai coal power plant complex.
Earlier the CEB announced that there would be power cuts in several areas yesterday (22) as two generators at the Lakvijaya Power Plant at Norochchnolai had developed faults.
However, CEB top management says things will improve soon and they could manage immediate supply needs due to the drop in demand due to the festive season and holidays. “The problem will be sorted out before the New Year,” an official said.
However, other engineers warned that power shedding and random power cuts would take place due to the coal shortage
Engineers also said that a section of the officials wanted to go for emergency power purchases. They pointed out that the Norochcholai Power Plant Complex, when running at full capacity, provided 900MW to the national grid which is two-thirds of the country’s energy requirement.
“Each of the 300 MW units of the Norochcholai Power Plant would use between 650,000 and 700,000 tonnes of coal a year,” an official said.
A plant official told The Island: “Roughly 2,500 tonnes of coal per day is required per plant that is 7,500 for all three plants, with one plant already having technical problems and another is showing problems today (December 22),” he added.
A senior Electrical Engineer told The Island usually some 1.2 million metric tonnes of coal were imported annually. The Island learns there is 800,000 tonnes available at present.
He added that there were few hiccups recently when it came to spot tenders, however, long term tenders were continuing without any issues.
The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Rathnayhake issuing a media release says that 26 incidents of election related violence were among the 3998 election complaints the Election Commission had received between 20th March 2025 and 01st May 2025.
170 complaints including two incidents of election related violence had been reported in the 24 hours ending 01st May2025
Latest News
Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 01 May 2025, valid for 02 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 Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
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.
Opposition Leader and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was merely following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, rather than fulfilling the promises made during the previous elections.
Speaking at the SJB’s May Day rally at the Lindula Municipal Council Grounds, Talawakele, Premadasa said that the President had given in to demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), just like his predecessor.
“President Dissanayake has capitulated to the IMF and agreed to increase electricity tariffs. We have received reliable information that the tariff hike will come into effect after May 6,” he said.
“We are living in an era when the rights of working people are suppressed. The previous government and the incumbent one have targeted the EPF and the ETF in the name of debt restructuring. But we have always stood up for workers’ rights—and we always will.”This government has come to power by deceiving the public.
Premadasa expressed confidence that the SJB would win commanding majorities in local government bodies and called on President Dissanayake not to think the people would continue to be misled by the NPP’s lies.
The Opposition Leader accused the government of misleading the public about energy prices. Despite its promise of a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs, the government was planning to increase them.
“Why does the President continue to lie to the people? We urge the public to vote for the SJB and send a clear message to this government.
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