Dullas smells rat, requests STF security for Control Centre

By Ifham Nizam

Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday asked for Special Task Force (STF) protection for the System Control Centre of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). His request came following the recent countrywide power failure, which lasted for nearly seven hours.

The Island

learns that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has not ruled out the possibility of sabotage though CEB Chief Eng. Vijitha Herath said initial investigations had revealed that the countrywide blackout on Monday was due to a human error.

Apart from the security measures already in place, Minister Alahapperuma had asked Defence Secretary Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne for additional security backup, the CEB said.

The Power Minister also gave strict instructions during an inspection tour yesterday to the System Control Centre to inquire into the Monday’s blackout.

The CEB would have to resort to emergency power/diesel power that would cost Rs. 200 million aday and the estimation goes to one billion rupees till Norochcholai Power Plants were back in operation next weekend, sources said.

A senior engineer said that the Norochcholai Power Plant Complex, three power plants 300MWx3 had to be shut down due to Kerawalapitiya power disruption and it would take three to four days to start the boiler (DRUM), etc.  

Diesel power, particularly emergency power had to be used as an alternative, an official said adding without Norochcholai output there was a massive shortage; power shedding is on the cards for some areas for next three to four days.

Technical issues at the Kerawalapitiya Grid Sub-station was the prime cause of the countrywide power failure that lasted for more than six hours while some areas experienced power blackout for more than 10 hours.

Minister Alhapperum has directed the CEB to ensure that there will not a similar occurrence.