This is good news again. following heavy rains over the hydro power reservoirs, the Ceylon Electricity Board yesterday ruled out any power cuts until the rains fail again.

Last week the prospect was different because of the continued drought.

There had been unannounced power cuts for periods lasting from half and hour to one hour countrywide.

Last week the water levels at hydro reservoirs dropped to a dangerous 16 per cent of the storage capacity.

Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman E. A. S. K. Edirisinghe told The Island yesterday: "Now we do not have the term power cuts in our vocabulary.

A relieved Edirisinghe said that following heavy rains over the catchment areas, the total storage capacity that stood at 16 per cent last week had increased to 26 per cent by yesterday. "An increase of 10 per cent within two days."

Laxapana received 220 millimeters on Wednesday and 180 mm yesterday. "The monsoon has set in, don’t worry about power cuts," he said very confidently.

The Ceylon Electricity Board connects 40 per cent hydro electricity and the balance is generated through fuel to the national grid. A part of the thermal power is bought from private power generators.