The General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Shirley Kumara, announced that approximately 25%–30% of the island’s electricity supply has been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.

Speaking at a media briefing today (28), he said restoring power has become a difficult task, with the Eastern, Central, and Northern provinces most affected.

A key transmission line with a capacity of 132,000 kilowatts connecting Randenigala, Rantambe, and Mahiyanganaya has collapsed and is currently inaccessible for repairs. As a result, the Kotmale and Rantambe hydro power stations have been shut down, with Rantambe affected by heavy silt inflow.

He explained that towers along several transmission routes have been damaged or submerged, making repairs impossible until floodwaters recede. Additional shutdowns include Bowatenna and Upper Kotmale power stations, due to water leakage and muddy inflows.

Currently, only two of Kotmale’s three generators are operational, while other stations are working at maximum capacity. However, widespread outages continue, including in Peradeniya University and Kandy city, where substations have been submerged.

Kumara stressed that certain transmission lines have been deliberately switched off to prevent risks to public safety and equipment damage. Priority is being given to supplying electricity to essential services, with household connections addressed later.

He acknowledged that delays are inevitable, noting that around 7 million consumers are affected, and repairs can only proceed once water levels recede. (Newswire)