Udaya Gammanpila stated at a press briefing yesterday (15) that Sri Lanka could face a severe electricity crisis from the end of July to mid-September due to delays in coal shipments.
The leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya warned that the situation may lead to widespread power outages or a sharp increase in electricity tariffs, with the cost per unit potentially rising to around Rs. 90.
He explained that the current coal stocks would only last for 212 days this year, with the 212th day falling on July 31. As coal unloading operations are expected to be disrupted by the southwestern monsoon until mid-September, the Norochcholai Power Plant is likely to be shut down for approximately one and a half months.
The former MP further alleged that the government is attempting to recover losses incurred from poor-quality coal shipments by increasing electricity tariffs.
