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Islandwide blackout due to burst transformer at Biyagama

14 March 2016 06:44 am - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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An unusual burst at the major electricity transformer yard in Biyagama caused a nationwide blackout plunging the country into darkness yesterday for eight hours in some areas --such as Colombo,and even longer in some other areas,a Deputy Minister said. This is the third blackout within six months and the second in two weeks.

Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Ajith Perera,who rushed to the scene,told Daily Mirror last night that a key transformer at the Biyagama Grid Station had gone up in flames,and a team would be dispatched to the scene this morning to investigate it.

He said the Government Analyst would also visit the scene to ascertain whether it was an act of sabotage or not.

“This is an unusual situation. We have doubts about it. We want to ascertain whether it is an act of sabotage or not,” he said.

Earlier, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, at a hurriedly summoned press conference in his constituency of Kegalle, apologised to the nation for the second outage experienced this year.

The minister,however,said it had happened before the committees appointed to look into the previous such incidents had submitted their reports identifying the cause.now,he said,the scope of these committees would be extended to examine yesterday’s incident as well.

Apart from natural and technical reasons, he said, his ministry would investigate whether there could be some other reason for the blackouts. The minister had called for a special meeting with the relevant officials.

Ministry Secretary Dr.suren Batagoda said the blackout was experienced from about 2.15 pm.

He said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had restored the power supply twice but it had tripped on both occasions.the supply was restored by 10.00 pm in Colombo and some other areas.dr.batagoda said power had been restored to 80 percent of the country by 10.00 pm. “We are doing it gradually,”he said. Due to the power failure,the water purification plants in Ambatale and Biyagama were at a standstill for several hours, restricting water supplies to the Colombo and Greater Colombo areas.(Kelum Bandara)


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  Comments - 11

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  • Yapa Monday, 14 March 2016 10:22 AM

    There seems to be some lapses in planned maintenance and negligence in supervision behind these breakdowns.It is the time to appoint an expert committee to look into as a top urgent priority. The first thing an investor look into is uninterrupted power supply.

    bandara Monday, 14 March 2016 10:28 AM

    this time no lightning, but flame. next ?

    indira Monday, 14 March 2016 10:43 AM

    can it be with the blessing of J Op.

    Sirii Monday, 14 March 2016 11:17 AM

    Ltte or Jvp leadership was eliminated as they become harm to general public.Now MR or his goons do the same in the name of power the people in authority should GET RID of them.

    conspiracist Monday, 14 March 2016 11:30 AM

    In doubt???yesterday blackout island wide and today Yoshith bailed out....................whats happening

    Manuel Benjamin Monday, 14 March 2016 12:01 PM

    No. not atall, according to the reliable source, this was planned by the Joint Opposition lead by Weerawansa.

    Ajja Monday, 14 March 2016 01:30 PM

    Dought that all power stations covered with CCTV they are more vigilant than Army... via DM Android App

    Wele Vidane Monday, 14 March 2016 01:49 PM

    Have you seen any investor?

    Leel Monday, 14 March 2016 03:03 PM

    I think this could be a sabotage, as high voltage transformer failures are very rare.

    Harry Monday, 14 March 2016 03:53 PM

    Can you kindly declare the names and your reliable source you PIA

    Jon Monday, 14 March 2016 03:57 PM

    These outages are caused by lack of maintenance lack of funding where has all the money gone that was given by the Chinese


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