VIDEO: Water levels reach worrying lows

The water levels at the catchment areas have reduced to 25%, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka stated while adding that if the water level recedes to a level of 15% most of the reservoirs will not be used for power generation.

Minister Ranawaka stated that the country was currently generating most of its power requirements through thermal power stations which in turn bears a great cost on the country.

He added that there have been a few power failures around the island due to a technical fault with five generators in the power grid which will be attended to by Sunday (July 10).

In related news, PTI reported that along with the prospect of having to impose power cuts, the power and energy ministry of Sri Lanka has sought divine help.

A special religious offering was made by the Lankan Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka, in the sacred site of Anuradhapura seeking blessings to be able to maintain uninterrupted power supplies.

“The hydro reservoir capacity is about 25 per cent right now. If this drops to about 15 per cent we will have problems in supplying electricity round the clock”, Ranawaka said.

The religious offering was aimed at receiving rain fall in hydro catchment areas so there wouldn’’t be a need for power cuts.

Power supply levels have been affected by the technical problems in as many as five thermal power generating units, but the problem should be sorted by the weekend, Ranawaka said.

“Since we are now forced to produce more thermal power the costs have risen. So it is important to conserve electricity as much as possible”, Ranawaka said.

The electricity trade unions say officials have given instructions to cut power between 30 minutes to two hours in order to conserve power.

The public are up in arms over the unannounced power cuts which cause hardship in the household.