Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the government’s management of the power sector, citing a fragile grid that struggles to integrate solar energy growth and balance low-demand periods.
Taking to Twitter, Premadasa stated:
“First, they blamed the monkeys. Then, they blamed past governments. But the real issue? A fragile grid that can’t handle solar growth & low-demand periods. Misinformation won’t fix power outages—serious reforms will, especially in the power sector. A real system change starts with transparency.”
As evidence, he shared a letter from the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Deputy General Manager (System Control), dated November 2024, which highlighted concerns over the instability caused by rooftop solar installationsand low system inertia during weekends and holidays.
The Opposition Leader’s remarks come after a nationwide power outage on February 09, which officials initially linked to an incident involving a monkey at the Panadura grid substation. The subsequent shutdown of the Norochcholai Power Plant exacerbated the crisis, leading to scheduled power cuts across the country.
Premadasa has called for comprehensive reforms in the energy sector, advocating for greater transparency and a modernized grid that can efficiently manage renewable energy sources without compromising stability.
