Colombo, Sri Lanka, December 11, 2023: Sri Lanka is currently grappling with a nationwide power outage due to a system failure, according to a government official. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the country’s power monopoly, is actively working to restore power, as confirmed by CEB spokesperson Noel Priyantha, reported Reuters.
This power disruption is reminiscent of the challenges faced by Sri Lankans in 2022 when the country encountered severe 10-hour power cuts amid a deepening economic crisis that significantly impacted various sectors. During that period, the electricity regulator urged over a million government employees to adopt a work-from-home approach to conserve fuel, as Sri Lanka faced difficulties in financing fuel shipments due to a foreign exchange shortage.
Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, had addressed the situation, stating, “We made a request to the government to allow the public sector, which is about 1.3 million employees, to work from home for the next two days so we can manage the fuel and power shortages better.”
The power cuts had then extended to 13 hours, highlighting the severity of Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in decades. The crisis was characterized by a 70% reduction in foreign exchange reserves, causing significant challenges in importing essential commodities, including food and fuel.
As Sri Lanka faces another round of power disruption, authorities are actively working to address the situation and restore power to minimize the impact on the daily lives of citizens. The nation remains vigilant in managing its energy resources and addressing economic challenges to ensure a more stable and sustainable future.
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