CEB Power Cut Schedule Sri Lanka (October 19-21, 2026): Electricity Down Time, Groups 1-4 & How to Check Your Area

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced rotational power cuts across Sri Lanka on October 19, 20 and 21, 2026. The cuts follow a breakdown at the Lakvijaya Power Station, which reduced the island's power generation.

Key Facts

• Dates: Monday, October 19, to Wednesday, October 21, 2026
• Window: 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Duration: One hour per group, per day
• Groups: The island is divided into four groups (Group 1, 2, 3 and 4)
• Reason: The Lakvijaya Power Station is unavailable, so CEB is using demand management (rotational cuts) to balance supply
• CEB's statement: The cuts are temporary and strictly limited to the published schedule

CEB Power Cut Time Table

Monday, October 19, 2026

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Important Notes from CEB

• The capacity cut for any group may change with real-time demand, available generation, and weather.
• Actual disconnection and restoration times can vary by up to 30 minutes from the times shown.

How to Find Out Which Group You Are In

CEB offers several ways to check your area's schedule:

1. CEB website: Visit dm.ceb.lk and open the Power Cut Schedule page.
2. CEBCare Outage Map: cebcare.ceb.lk/Incognito/OutageMap shows interruption schedules for your area.
3. CEBCare customer portal: Registered users can log in at cebcare.ceb.lk.
4. CEBAssist mobile app: Available on Android.
5. SMS: Send INT [your electricity account number] to 1987 to get your area's schedule.
6. SMS alerts: Customers can also receive demand management notifications for their area.

Tips to Prepare for Power Cuts

• Charge phones, power banks, and rechargeable lights before 4:30 p.m.
• Use LED torches or battery lamps instead of candles.
• Unplug sensitive electronics such as computers and TVs to protect them when power returns.
• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to keep food cold.
• If you work or study from home, save your work and plan around your group's time slot.
• Switch off heavy appliances (water heaters, irons, air conditioners) before the cut, and turn them on one at a time afterward.

What Is the Lakvijaya Power Station?

Lakvijaya (also known as Norochcholai) is Sri Lanka's largest coal power plant, located in Puttalam District. It supplies a large share of the national grid's electricity, so an outage there can cause a major shortfall. CEB hasn't announced when it will return to service, so check official channels for updates.

Sources and Official Links

• Hiru News: CEB announces three-day power cut schedules after Lakvijaya breakdown
• Ada Derana: How to check the power cut schedule
• CEB demand management schedule
• CEBCare Outage Map
• Ceylon Electricity Board official site

FAQ

How long is each power cut? One hour per group, in the 4:30-9:00 p.m. window.

Which days are the power cuts? October 19, 20 and 21, 2026.

Why are there power cuts in Sri Lanka? The Lakvijaya Power Station broke down, reducing available generation.

How do I know my group? Check dm.ceb.lk, CEBCare, the CEBAssist app, or SMS INT [account number] to 1987.

Will the cuts be extended? CEB says they are temporary. Follow official announcements for any changes.

Last updated: October 19, 2026. CEB may change the schedule, so check official channels.