• The ministry had taken a decision not to have power cuts until January 20, following a discussion held with the Mahaweli Authority

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

Power interruptions will not take place in the country from today as the privately-owned 172 megawatt Sojitz Kelanitissa Power Station, which broke down on Tuesday evening, has been repaired, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said.   

He told the Daily Mirror that the ministry had taken a decision not to have power cuts until January 20, following a discussion held with the Mahaweli Authority.  

Accordingly, all thermal and hydroelectric power plants are working properly and there will be no more power cuts.  Meanwhile, 300 megawatts of electricity supply will be added to the national grid after the completion of one of the third 300 MW coal powerplants at Norochcholai by January 24.  The decision was taken despite the issues regarding the diesel fuel and furnace oil stocks, he said.