The CEB said that there can be temporary power interruptions for the next three to four days due to the malfunctioning of the Norochcholai Power Plant.

This comes a day after a major blackout which plunged the country into darkness for several hours. This was the third island-wide blackout in six months and was the worst blackout in 20 years.

Meanwhile, decreasing water levels in the upcountry reservoirs have also added to the difficulties of the CEB.

Sources from the Ministry of Power and Energy said it would take at least three days to bring the Norochcholai power plant back to normalcy. 

A highly placed source at the ministry said the public should consume electricity carefully over the next three days, to avoid power wastage. 

There was a crucial discussion at the Power and Energy Ministry on Saturday evening on the ministry's future course of action on the Chinese-funded coal power plant. 

The unexpected development came three weeks before Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's first official visit to China.