Sri Lanka goes dark due to nationwide power outage

Sri Lanka began imposing record nationwide 10-hour daily power cuts as it ran out of hydroelectricity on top of a severe shortage of fuel. The state electricity monopoly said it was imposing the power cut, up from a seven-hour outage since the beginning of the month, because there was no oil to power thermal generators. Sri Lanka is in its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, because of a severe shortage of foreign currency to pay for imports.

Sri Lanka on Wednesday (March 30) started imposing a record nationwide 10-hour daily power cuts as it ran out of electricity on top of a severe shortage of fuel. Credit: AFP Photo

The nation of 22 million people is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, because of a severe shortage of foreign currency to pay for imports. Credit: AFP Photo

The state electricity monopoly said it was imposing the 10-hour power cut, up from a seven-hour outage since the beginning of the month, because there was no oil to power thermal generators. Credit: AFP Photo

More than 40 per cent of Sri Lanka's electricity is generated from hydropower, but most of the reservoirs were running dangerously low because there had been no rains, officials said. Credit: Twitter/@Welikumbura

Most electricity production is from coal and oil. Both are imported but in short supply as the country does not have enough foreign exchange to pay for supplies. Credit: AFP Photo

Meanwhile, the main fuel retailer, the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), said there would be no diesel in the country for at least two days. Credit: AFP Photo

The CPC told motorists waiting in long queues at petrol stations to leave and return only after imported diesel is unloaded and distributed. Credit: AFP Photo

Fuel prices have also been increased frequently with petrol up by 92 per cent and diesel by 76 per cent since the beginning of the year. Credit: AFP Photo

The government took 12 days to find $44 million to pay for the latest shipment of LPG and kerosene, officials said. Credit: AFP Photo

Colombo imposed a broad import ban in March 2020 to save foreign currency needed to service its $51 billion in foreign debts. Credit: AFP Photo

But this has led to widespread shortages of essential goods and sharp price rises. Credit: AP/PTI Photo

Many hospitals have stopped routine surgeries, and supermarkets have been forced to ration staple foods, including rice, sugar and milk powder. Credit: AFP Photo

The government has said it is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund while asking for more loans from India and China. Credit: AP/PTI Photo

The crisis was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which torpedoed tourism and remittances. Many economists also blame government mismanagement including tax cuts and years of budget deficits. Credit: AFP Photo