Due to delays in the arrival of coal shipments, Sri Lanka is expected to face an electricity crisis from the end of July to mid-September, Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party, Udaya Gammanpila, said at a press briefing today (15).
He added that due to this crisis, the country may either experience widespread power outages or see the cost per unit of electricity increase to around Rs. 90, resulting in a significant rise in electricity tariffs.
“The current stocks of coal will only suffice for 212 days this year. The 212th day of the year falls on July 31. Due to the southwestern monsoon, coal cannot be unloaded until mid-September, which means the Norochcholai power plant is scheduled to shut down for one and a half months,” he said.
The former MP accused the government of settling the loss incurred due the poor quality coal shipments, by increasing electricity tariffs. (NewsWire)