Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel
In early 2025, a nationwide power outage affected much of Sri Lanka, and the cause quickly became the subject of widespread local and international media coverage: a monkey had made contact with a transformer at the Panadura substation. That incident was later found to be linked to system capacity issues, as investigations revealed. Against this backdrop, when a power outage again affected several areas across the island on Vesak Poya Day, 30 May 2026, social media immediately erupted with humorous speculation about another monkey. Below is an explainer of what actually caused the disruption.
Social Media Posts :
Facebook posts began circulating with humorous and satirical references to monkeys, echoing the 2025 incident and suggesting that a monkey was again responsible for the outage.
Several other posts on the same incident also circulated across social media:
Facebook | Archived Link | Facebook | Facebook | Facebook
We investigated the actual cause of the power outage.
Explainer :
We first examined how mainstream media outlets had reported the power outage that affected several parts of the island on Vesak Day. Reports consistently stated that electricity supply was temporarily interrupted in certain areas to maintain the stability of the power system, because electricity generation from solar power had exceeded the expected level. The full news report is below.
Electricity supply was interrupted to maintain national grid stability due to excess solar generation.
Mainstream media also cited a statement by Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka. The Minister stated that due to rainy weather in recent days, authorities had anticipated a relatively lower level of solar power generation.
However, on Vesak Day there was strong sunlight, which caused a significantly higher amount of electricity than expected to be fed into the national grid from solar systems. As a result, supply exceeded demand in many areas, creating challenges in maintaining grid stability. Electricity supply was therefore temporarily disconnected in nearly 100 locations to maintain system stability.
The Minister added that if such measures had not been taken, a major island-wide outage could have occurred. He also requested domestic rooftop solar users to keep their systems switched off until 5.00 p.m. that day. His full statement is below.
National System Operator (Private) Limited
The National System Operator (Private) Limited also issued a media statement on the electricity supply situation on Vesak Poya Day. According to the statement, electricity demand within the national power system on 30 May 2026 had fallen below forecast levels due to the Vesak Poya holiday. Simultaneously, electricity generation from solar panels had risen to a very high level. To maintain the stability and continuity of the national power grid, electricity supply was temporarily disconnected in several areas. The statement also requested solar panel owners to switch off their systems from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. that day. The statement, as reported by mainstream media, is shown below.
Ministry of Energy
To further verify the matter, we also contacted the Media Secretary of Deputy Energy Minister Akram Ilyas. He confirmed that the temporary power interruptions on Vesak Day were caused by the unusually high volume of solar-generated electricity being fed into the national grid. As supply exceeded demand in many areas, electricity had to be disconnected at certain locations to maintain system stability, and instructions were issued for the temporary shutdown of the relevant solar systems. He further noted that steps are currently being taken to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
The Background: The 2025 Monkey Incident
The monkey-themed jokes that dominated social media this time were a direct echo of an earlier incident. In February 2025, a widespread power outage affected much of Sri Lanka. Energy Minister Kumar Jayakody attributed the cause to a monkey making contact with a transformer at the Panadura electricity substation. That explanation was widely mocked at the time, and subsequent investigations pointed to system capacity issues as the underlying factor. The Lankadeepa report on that incident is available here. This history explains why social media reacted to the Vesak Day outage with immediate, satirical monkey references.
Social media posts about the power cut also referenced the postponement of Vesak Poya Day. In May 2026, two Full Moon Poya Days fell in the same month. Initially, the Poya Day on 1 May had been designated as Vesak Poya Day. However, following requests from several parties, including the Mahanayake Theros, the government decided to hold the State Vesak Festival on 30 May instead, which was considered more appropriate for the observance of Vesak as the auspicious time (Visa Nakatha) falls on that date. Further details on this matter are available below.
Also Read: Clarification regarding the government holiday on the day after Vesak Poya Day!
Join us to learn more about our fact-check investigations.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google News | TikTok
Title: Why Did Many Areas Experience Power Cuts on Vesak Poya Day?
Fact Check By: B.P. Hansani
Result: Insight
