Monkey menace triggers Sri Lanka blackout
Monkey trouble causes nationwide blackout in Sri Lanka, power cuts expected
A monkey caused a massive power outage in Sri Lanka, leading to scheduled power cuts for two days. The incident happened at a grid station in a suburb of Colombo. This resulted in a six-hour nationwide blackout on Sunday. Due to this disruption and a failure at the Norochcholai coal power plant, the country will experience 90-minute power cuts on Monday and Tuesday.
The power outage started at 11:00 AM local time. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody explained that a monkey came into contact with the transformer, which created an imbalance in the power system. The blackout forced many businesses and homes to rely on backup generators, while power officials worked to restore electricity. However, they did not explain how a single monkey could cause such a huge failure. There was also no news about what happened to the monkey after the incident.
Sri Lanka’s main power supplier, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), apologized for the inconvenience. To manage the power shortage, the board announced scheduled power cuts in two time slots between 3:00 PM and 9:30 PM. The problem at the Norochcholai coal power plant, which generates 900 megawatts of electricity, also led to shutdowns at the Lakvijaya power station.
ALSO READ: Ukraine launches new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, Moscow claims
Social media reactions and public concerns
Many Sri Lankans took to social media to express their views on the situation. Some compared it to a comedy scene, while others criticized the country’s weak power infrastructure. One user on social media questioned how a single monkey could cause such chaos. Another joked, “Only in Sri Lanka can a monkey shut down the entire country’s electricity.”
Some people even made references to Hindu mythology, recalling the story of Hanuman, a monkey god from the Ramayana, who once burned parts of Sri Lanka. One post read, “Sri Lanka has a history with monkeys.”
Beyond the jokes and memes, the incident raised serious concerns about Sri Lanka’s energy security. Experts have long warned that the country’s power grid is old and highly vulnerable to disruptions. This event once again proved the need for better maintenance and security of the power supply system.
First power rationing since 2022
Sri Lanka has struggled with power shortages before. During the economic crisis in 2022, the country faced major electricity cuts due to fuel shortages. At that time, people had to endure power cuts lasting up to 13 hours every day. These blackouts led to massive protests, forcing then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign. The economic collapse also caused long lines for fuel, medicine, and other basic necessities.
The current power rationing is the first since August 2022. Back then, Sri Lanka was in financial trouble and had no foreign currency to import fuel. As a result, power cuts became a daily struggle for millions. The situation improved after India provided a $4 billion credit line, helping Sri Lanka recover slowly. However, this latest power outage shows that the country’s electricity system is still fragile and in need of urgent upgrades.
Related News
