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With the onset of the South West Monsoon bringing with it large quantities of  rainwater to the hydro catchment areas, including the mini-hydro power plants  the Ceylon Electricity Board has decided to shut down all diesel and thermal  power plants across the island.  

With the wind currents generated as a result of the monsoon conditions the  Thambapanni Windmill would be able to contribute over 2 million units of  electricity (10% of the total national grid). Collectively the wind and hydro power  plants would be able to generate the entire 200 million unit quota of the national  grid.  

The move by the CEB is said to contribute to the saving of over LKR 5 billion as  it costs an estimated LKR 30 to produce a unit of electricity from diesel fuel while  it only costs a mere LKR 2 to produce a unit of electricity from hydro power.  

The Chairman of the CEB Vijitha Herath went on to mention that the Norchcholai thermal power plant would also be shut down for repairs as part of the shutdown  process.  

He went on to reaffirm that the CEB does not have any plans to initiate an 8  hour power cut as a result of the shutting down of coal and diesel power plants.  While accusing the ‘diesel mafia’ of spreading false rumours the chairman  requested the general public to trust only authorized and reliable sources and  not to panic as a result of the spread of false rumours.