A monkey has been blamed for a nationwide blackout in Sri Lanka after it disrupted operations at a power station south of Colombo.
Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said the animal came into contact with a grid transformer, causing an imbalance in the system. The blackout, which began around 11:00 local time (05:30 GMT) on Sunday, left millions without power. Authorities are prioritizing medical facilities and water purification plants as power is gradually restored.
The incident sparked both criticism and humor on social media, with users questioning the country’s infrastructure. Some shared memes referencing Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, while others pointed out the fragility of the national grid.
Local newspaper Daily Mirror reported that engineers have long warned the government about the need to upgrade the power grid to prevent such failures. A senior engineer noted that the system is so weak that even minor disruptions could lead to islandwide blackouts.
Sri Lanka has previously faced major power outages, particularly during its economic crisis in 2022.
