Sri Lanka experienced a nationwide power outage on Sunday, February 9, 2025, after a monkey entered a power station near Colombo, causing a significant disruption to the electrical grid.

Incident Details:

  • Time of Occurrence: The blackout began around 11:00 AM local time, affecting the entire island nation.
  • Cause: Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody reported that the monkey came into contact with a grid transformer, leading to an imbalance in the system.
  • Impact: The outage lasted for several hours, with power gradually being restored across the country. Medical facilities and water purification plants were prioritized during the restoration efforts.

Public Response:

The incident has sparked discussions about the vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s power infrastructure to wildlife interference. Authorities are investigating measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Global Context:

This event highlights the potential for wildlife to disrupt critical infrastructure, a concern shared by many nations. For instance, in 2016, a monkey caused a nationwide blackout in Kenya by entering a power station.

Future Measures:

The Sri Lankan government is considering implementing additional protective measures to safeguard power stations from wildlife intrusions, aiming to enhance the resilience of the nation’s power grid.