The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has alleged that there has been an unusual release of water from the Victoria Reservoir for electricity generation, raising concerns about the management of the country’s strategic water resources during a period of energy strain.
Victoria Reservoir, situated on the Mahaweli River in the Central Province, feeds the Victoria hydropower plant and is a key component of the Mahaweli cascade system. Water releases from the reservoir directly affect downstream hydropower generation capacity.
The allegation comes amid Sri Lanka’s ongoing energy challenges, with the country grappling with declining reservoir levels and reliance on thermal generation due to the coal procurement crisis that triggered a no-confidence motion against the Energy Minister earlier this month.
During dry-weather periods such as the current April season, reservoir water is a strategic resource. Any accelerated drawdown could compromise future hydropower capacity and increase dependence on expensive thermal generation.
The FSP’s claim has not been independently verified. Ada Derana reported the allegation but full details of the party’s evidence were not immediately available.
