The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to disconnect the power supply from its grid substation in Matara in the event the water levels continue to rise in the area. This decision has been taken as a safety precaution.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that the power supply to the affected areas in Matara would however be reconnected shortly after providing power from grid substations in Deniyaya and Beliatta. He added that Sri Lanka Navy boats and personnel have been put on standby to evacuate CEB personnel from the Matara grid substation after the completion of the shutdown.
The southern parts of the island, especially the Galle and Matara districts, are battered by the prevailing active southwest monsoon conditions, which has brought heavy rains to many parts of the island over the past few weeks. While major situations are anticipated as the water levels of Gin Ganga and Nilwala River are on the rise, “red” alerts have been issued for parts of the Galle and Matara districts.