POWER consumption surged to record levels in Sri Lanka last week when millions switched on their televisions to watch the World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, state media said on Monday. The Daily News quoted Ceylon Electricity Board officials as saying that demand for power exceeded 1,200 megawatts as cricket-crazy Sri Lankans watched their team beaten by favourites South Africa by 89 runs on May 19. “The highest demand recorded in 1998 was 1,137 megawatts…,” the newspaper said, adding that heavy rains in recent days had filled up various reservoirs and a sharp rise in demand for electricity could be met easily. The country’s generation capacity is around 1,600 megawatts and power demand is rising by 10 percent annually, government figures show. Sri Lanka, who have lost two of their three matches so far, play a crucial game against India on Wednesday.
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