The ministry said Wednesday that the time duration of power cuts for Colombo and 78 other key towns and villages has been extended owing to the breakdown and the prevailing drought in catchment areas.
The ministry said hydropower generation has fell 14 percent due to the drought.
Power cuts will continue under three time blocks starting from 8.00 am in the morning to different parts of the island including the North and the East.
The following areas in the Western province will experience power cuts from8.00am to 11.20am, 11.20am to 2.40pm and 2.40pm to 6.00pm according to the new schedule released by the power ministry.
Athurugiriya, Kaduwela, Mulleriyawa, Angoda, Katukurunda, Horahena, Homagama, Kosgama, Hanwella, Labugama, Horana, Ingiriya, Handapangoda, Pannipitiya, Pelawaththa, Maththegoda, Kottawa, Mathugama, Kalutara, Agalawatta, Aluthgama, Beruwela, Panadura, Ratmalana, Dehiwela, Nugegoda, Kohuwala, Boralasgamuwa, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Galle Face, Sir Chittampalam Gardiner Mawatha, Dickmons road, Independence Road, Malalasekara Mawatha, Jawatta road, Gregory's road, Barns road, Borella, Cotta road, Town hall, T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Panchikawatta, Grandpass road, Empire city road, Union Place, Bambalapitiya, R A De Mel Mawatha and Castle street areas will experience power cuts from 8.00 am to 11.20 am.
Biyagama, Hendala, Maradana, Kerawalapitiya, Wattala, Kelaniya, Peliyagoda, Sapugaskanda, Kandana, Welisara, Ragama, Weyangoda, Ganemulla, Kadawatha, Pamunugama, Pannipitiya, Maharagama, Ethul kotte, Welikada, Rajagiriya, Buthgamuwa, York street, Sir Baron Jayathilaka Mawatha, Darmapala Mawatha, Galle road, Colpetty, Banbalapitiya, Ananda Kumaraswamy Mawatha, Dematagoda, Punchi Borella, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Havelock road, Kirulapona and Highlevel road will experience the power cut from 11.20 am to 2.40pm.
Ekala, Sapugaskanda, Angoda, Thalangama, Koswatta, Weyangoda, Nittambuwa, Yakkala, Malabe road, Athurugiriya, Millennium city, Arangala, Thalawathugoda, Depanama, Hokandara, Himbutana, Mulleriyawa, Batalanda, Battaramulla town, Mathugama, Vauxhall street, Baudaloka Mawatha, Alfred House lane, Rotunda Gardens, Nawam Mawatha, Rajasekara Mawatha, Wijayarama Mawatha, Wanathamulla, Kotahena, Cotta road, Gothami road, Maligawatta road and Baseline road will experience power cuts from 2.40pm to 6.00pm.Operations at the newly build Lakvijaya coal power plant which was contracted without open tendering in north-western Puttalam district was temporarily halted last week due to a problem in a transmission line. The newly built power plant has been prone to breakdowns.
The national grid has lost 300 megawatts of power since last Wednesday morning due to the breakdown, the ministry statement said.
The ministry said power cuts will not be imposed during the night to help A/L students study for the exam.
Hospitals and industrial zones will be exemp from power cuts, the ministry statement said.
