Lanka Free Library

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has imposed up to 13-hour power cut for Thursday (31) as acute diesel shortage has compelled the utility provider to increase the duration of power cuts from the previous day’s 10 hours.

The CEB has decided to cut power from 12am to 8am for the first time in the ongoing power crisis.

Areas ABCDEF and PQRS will see 3 hours of power cut from 3am to 6am, 4 hours from 12pm to 4pm and 6 hours from 6pm to 12am.

Areas GHIJKL and TUVW will experience 3-hour power cut from 12am to 3am, 4 hours from 8am to 12pm and 6 hours from 4 pm to 10pm.

Areas MNOXYZ, however, will witness only 5.5-hour power cut – 3.5-hour interruption from 5.30am to 9am and 2 hours from 4pm to 6pm.

Download the power cut schedule for March 30 from

Though the government has said the duration of the power cuts will be reduced gradually, the power cut has been extended mainly due to lack of fuel amid severe shortage of US dollars.

The lack of fuel also has resulted in large queues for diesel and petrol despite record price hikes. (Colombo/ March 30/2022)

ECONOMYNEXT – Two Sri Lankans died in fuel queues over the weekend, police media said on Monday (11), bringing the death toll in fuel queues to seven since March 31.

Both death had occurred due to heart attack after being waiting in the queues for a long time.

“The two deaths earlier were due to heart attacks. They were on medications,” Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told Economy Next.

A 47-year old private bus driver from Gonawila died on Saturday (09) while waiting in the fuel queue. Eyewitnesses had said that the man collapsed on the street.

The second death took place on Sunday (10) morning and a 52-year old tourist guide of Kochchikade died. Police media stated that the man had filled his tank and gone about 10 meters before he was found dead in his vehicle.

Of the previous five deaths, four were of senior citizens who died of natural causes, the fifth, a 29-year old man was stabbed to death following an argument while waiting in a fuel queue.

People standing in fuel queues, cans in hand, has been a common sight in recent weeks as Sri Lanka’s fuel shortages worsen amid a worsening forex crisis.

People have been seen collecting extra fuel in fear of future shortages.

Authorities say panic buying is making the problem worse when fuel is available and a continuous supply is to be ensured through a 500 million US dollar Indian credit line.

Severe shortage of foreign currency has reduced the fuel import and that in fact had led to shortage and extended power cuts as high as 13 hours in a day.

Sri Lanka is facing multiple crisis simultaneously – power cuts, shortages of essentials, and a sharp depreciation of the rupee following the float.

Thousands of Sri Lankans have taken to the streets to protest the Government’s mishandling of the economy, organized via social media. Hundreds of protesters have occupied a protesting site next to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office for the third day on Monday. (Colombo/April 11/2022)