Sri Lanka imposes power cuts as cash crisis deepens
The Hindu
Electricity will be switched off on a rotating basis between regions between 4:30 pm and 10:30 pm
Authorities in Sri Lanka are imposing rolling power cuts across the island nation as its deepening financial crisis leads to shortages of fuel and handicaps its power grid.
Sri Lanka's Public Utilities Commission said it will shut off the country's grid for two hours on Tuesday, after a similar cut the day before. Electricity will be switched off on a rotating basis between regions between 4:30 pm and 10:30 pm, according to officials.
The regulatory body said the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board had requested permission for the cuts as fuel shortages had caused the loss of 541 MW to the national grid.
Over the last few weeks, Sri Lankans had experienced several sporadic power failures.
Depleted foreign reserves are driving Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis in decades.
A currency crunch has hindered imports of fuel and other essentials from overseas, including milk powder, cooking gas, and petrol.
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