Following the worst blackout in 20 years, Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya called for an emergency press briefing to give some vague promises.

He promised to study the reasons for the breakdowns deeply and give a solution to the problem. He gave this assurance as most of the country was still in darkness.

Today's blackout was the third countrywide blackout experienced following the General Election in August 2015. In September last year, the country experienced an island-wide blackout due to a technical fault at the Ceylon Electricity Board. On February 25, there was a blackout which lasted for more than two hours.

Furthermore, on February 26, another power failure affected parts of Colombo and suburbs. A committee appointed to investigate the February 25 blackout is yet to submit its report.

CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala today announced that he will resign from his post, taking responsibility for the power cut. However, there was no sign from the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy to resign.