The carpentry industry will come to a standstill sans electricty

Prolonged power outages have inconvenienced the public and especially those involved in professions that require electricity to carry out daily operations. From technicians in the automobile industry to carpentry, poultry and people engaged in many other industries are facing a daily struggle with prevailing power outages.   
On the other hand, commercial establishments that operate from generators are unable to find diesel in order to have these generators operating until power is restored. However, President Rajapaksa has assured that all measures will be taken immediately to avert the prevailing power crisis. But how this could be done without dollars to purchase fuel remains a question.   
The Daily Mirror inquired the public and social media users as to what extent they are being inconvenienced due to the prevailing power outages. Here’s what they had to say:   

Pics by Kushan pathiraja

Generators now in high demand

“We may have to operate manually”

Eesa Faiz, a technical supervisor at a vehicle service station centre in Colombo 15 fears whether they would have to function manually as a result of the prevailing power crisis.   
“We need electricity to operate the electric gauges which are connected to the gate. Two-post car lift jacks operate using high-pressure hydraulic pumps and for that also we need electricity. The air compressor needs electricity to store air. We have a computerized alignment system and for that, we need to charge it constantly. We won’t be able to do billing. Due to prevailing power outages, we will have to operate manually. Without electricity, we won’t be able to carry out complex tasks like before.”  

“Suppliers cannot send supplies on time”

Carpentry is another industry affected due to the prevailing power crisis. Fazeel Mohamed has been in the industry for 20 years and today he’s challenged with delayed supplies and the inability to deliver an order on time due to the prevailing power cuts.   
“Our suppliers find it difficult to send us supplies on time. This industry fully depends on electricity and to operate generators we need diesel. Today there’s a scarcity of fuel as well. Without electricity, we won’t be able to pay our employees and the entire trade will come to a standstill. Without electricity, they will stay for one or two days and leave.  

“No price controls on generators today” 

Due to the prevailing power crisis, generators are in high demand, both for domestic and commercial use. Waruna Rukshan, a technician at an electrical workshop in Peliyagoda said that the demand for generators has escalated and that they don’t have spare parts to repair broken generators.   
“Most generators are those used for domestic use, such as 2-3 MW. The prices of generators and spare parts have no controls today. With the prevailing power crisis, we can’t complete a motor or generator since we need electricity to do the finishing work.”

“Drastic impacts on the poultry industry”

K. Mathew owns a farm produce shop in Grandpass. Due to the prevailing crisis, he has incurred losses as he has been unable to deliver fresh meat to customers. We store excess meat in the deep freezer and without electricity, the meat becomes stale and is not suitable for consumption. It’s a challenge to do business today as we have to pay the rent, pay school fees for our children and meet our daily needs. The power crisis has a drastic impact on the poultry industry.” 

“Limited food items on sale”

Janaki Aponsu is the proprietor of a home-grown food venture in Moratuwa. But without electricity, she is unable to prepare the dough for Dosas and other items she prepares on a daily basis.   
“This is my only source of income and today I have to limit the food items that are catered due to the prevailing power cuts. Apart from that, I’m unable to pay the staff as well.  

“Power cuts last longer than the scheduled time”

“We were sent the schedule, but the power cut lasts longer what they say, for about half an hour more. I work from home and out of 8 hours that I should be working, for 5 and a half hours there is no power. Areas like Homagama, Rajagiriya, Matara and Kandy have never had power cuts. Why is it so?” – Kushan Yapa

Power outage causes outrage-Sri Lankans running businesses seem to experience dismay these days with the Ceylon Electricity Board causing power outages around the clock while being unable to maintain a steady flow of electricity due to a fuel shortage