The Government yesterday launched the national programme “Surakimu Lanka”, aimed at encouraging the public to conserve energy, citing potential supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and forecasts of possible El Niño weather conditions.
The programme, launched on March 29, will run for five months and seeks to promote responsible energy use while strengthening national energy security.
According to the President’s Media Division, the initiative aims to foster a community that carefully conserves energy resources and encourages voluntary public participation in managing electricity demand.
Authorities said the programme also takes into account forecasts of possible El Niño conditions, a climate pattern caused by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon typically disrupts normal weather patterns worldwide and can result in reduced rainfall and prolonged dry conditions in parts of South Asia, including Sri Lanka.
Reduced rainfall during El Niño periods can significantly affect hydropower generation, which accounts for a considerable portion of Sri Lanka’s electricity supply, thereby increasing reliance on costly thermal power and fuel imports.
Under the programme, the public is encouraged to limit electricity usage during peak hours from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., and where possible, shift high-energy-consuming activities to daytime hours.
Officials stressed that the initiative does not impose restrictions on electricity consumption, but instead aims to promote voluntary energy conservation and improve public awareness.
The programme, implemented under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative themed “Surakimu Lanka – Let’s Unite – Let’s Shine Bright”, will involve state and semi-government institutions, the private sector, civil society and the general public.
The Government also emphasised the need to utilise state resources with maximum efficiency and transparency, while directly involving the public in ensuring national energy security during a period of global uncertainty. (Newswire)
