To prevent the whole of Sri Lanka from being cut off due to the non-completion of the construction of the electricity transmission line connecting Kothmale, Polpitiya, Padukka and Athurigiriya. The internal sources of the electricity board say that it was not possible.
Sources say that this situation is the reason for the breakdown of electricity in the country due to the collapse of the transmission line from Kothmale to Biyagama last Saturday due to the lightning strike.
At the time of the breakdown, the line was carrying about 500 MW of electricity and the country’s total demand at the time was about 1500 MW. As the other generators could not cope with the demand, those generators also stopped working, causing a power cut across the island.
It is reported that the transmission line from Kothmale to Athugiri through Polpitiya and Padukka to carry the electricity produced by the hydroelectric power plants in the central hills has been delayed due to the economic crisis. Electrical engineers say that with the speedy completion of that road, such breakdowns can be avoided.