Sri Lankans urged to use power sparingly until electricity generation returns to normal

COLOMBO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's power and Energy Ministry on Thursday urged all state and private institutions to use electricity sparingly until the island's electricity generation returns to normal.

power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake told local journalists that immediate steps were being taken to reduce the electricity consumption due to the present adverse dry weather conditions.

Earlier this week, the ministry imposed daily power cuts throughout the island which lasts for four hours during the day and one hour during the night.

The power cuts have severely hampered day-to-day businesses of restaurants, small-time vendors and food outlets.

The Ceylon electricity Board said the power cuts were a result of the dry weather which had resulted in water levels drastically reducing in all major reservoirs.