Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has rejected allegations that substandard coal at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant caused the need for power cuts.

Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing on 20 October, he stated that Generator No. 1 had been shut down for 61 days for maintenance, from 30 July to 4 September, and that newly imported coal had been used from 4 September onwards.

An internal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the breakdown. Jayatissa expressed hope that the unit would return to normal operation after 21 October.