The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to disconnect the power supply from its grid substation in Matara as a safety precaution, in the event the water levels continue to rise in the area.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Minister of Power & Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the power supply to the affected areas in Matara would, however, be reconnected shortly after from the 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 Galle and Matara districts.
