CID launches investigation into nationwide blackout

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has commenced a separate investigation into yesterday’s power failure, CEB Chairman Anura Wijeyapala said. 

President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the army to provide protection to all CEB electricity sub-stations across the country.

Sri Lanka suffered its worst nationwide power cut in 20 years yesterday causing water shortages, transport and trade disruptions across the country.

The national grid switched off early afternoon and attempts to reconnect failed as the system was unable to cope with night time demand.

It was the second major power failure in less than a month, following a three-hour disruption late February.

Six hours into the latest breakdown, there was no word on when power would be restored, making the latest blackout the longest since May 1996 when the entire country was without electricity for four days.

CEB chief Anura Wijepala accepted responsibility for the latest breakdown and offered to resign.

The CEB is also investigating the power outage.