Sri Lanka faces nationwide blackout due to power failure

Sri Lanka faced a nationwide power failure on Monday due to a technical breakdown at a power station in Kerawalapitiya on the outskirts of capital Colombo, bringing businesses and daily life to a standstill.

   The Ministry of Power said steps were being taken to restore power which went off a little after noon, assuring that electricity would be restored within a few hours.

   Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma rushed to the Kerawalapitiya Power Station within an hour after the nationwide blackout and remained with technicians who were trying to restore power.

   By Monday afternoon, water supply to several areas was also disrupted while severe traffic congestion was reported on the roads in Colombo.

   Sri Lanka last faced a nationwide power failure in 2016.