Power cuts persist despite Presidential, PUCSL promises

In a further indictment on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) assurances of an end or minimal interruptions, the country begins a fresh week with power cuts spanning seven hours. 

The PUCSL said it has approved a request by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to enforce power cuts today as well, despite the Government assurance on uninterrupted supply from 5 March.

A two-hour power cut will be enforced between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and a one-hour power cut between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. for groups P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W.

Groups E and F will face a five-hour power cut between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and a two-hour and 30 minute power cut once in the evening between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. as well.

The Commission on Saturday said that in the event sufficient stocks of fuel is received, power cuts will not be enforced or the duration of power disruptions could be reduced.

However, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said the decision on power disruptions will be based on the fuel stocks that are received.