2023 Sri Lankan blackouts

The 2023 Sri Lankan blackouts were a series of nationwide electrical blackouts which occurred in Sri Lanka on 9 December 2023. Blackouts began at around 5.00 pm SLST (UTC+5:30) and lasted for over three hours. The nationwide blackouts occurred due to a systematic failure in the main supply chain and due to a breakdown of the Kotmale Biyagama transmission line.

Development
The Ministry of Power and Energy issued a statement claiming that an islandwide blackout occurred due to the multiple lightning strikes on several transformers and power stations. The Ceylon Electricity Board insisted that it has been continuously working to restore the electricity in across all the regions of Sri Lanka.

Background
Sri Lanka's electricity demand is currently met by thermal power stations (54.59%), major hydroelectric power stations (33.50%), wind farms (2.12%), small hydro facilities (8.01%) and other renewables such as solar (1.78%). Sri Lanka as a whole last faced a major nationwide blackout in March 2016, which lasted for over eight hours. Localised regional power cuts are common in Sri Lanka although nationwide blackouts are rare.

In 2022, Sri Lankans experienced daily power outages exceeding 10 hours per day at a time when the country was facing its worst economic crisis since its independence.