Lanka the only Asian country to give all its citizens continuous power supply says President
The welfare of the people comes first, and no amount of negative criticism from anti- Government parties or persons will deter the State from launching development projects to benefit the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at the opening of the 150-megawatt Upper Kotmale hydro-power project.
“Because of objections and protests, previous governments gave up many development projects halfway, such as the Norochcholai power plant,” the President said. “They were afraid the projects would be politically unpopular. But we are not afraid, and we have undertaken all projects that were stalled for years,’
The Upper Kotmale hydro-project is the largest power- generating initiative undertaken by this government. Construction work began in 2006, with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project was financed with Rs. 50.4 billion from JICA and US$75 million from the Sri Lanka government.
The project is a major step forward for the country along the path of “unprecedented development”, said the President, adding that the Upper Kotmale hydroproject and the Norochcholai, Sampur and Kerawalapitiya power plants would make Sri Lanka “the power hub of Asia,” the President said.
All families and persons affected by the construction of the power project have been relocated and given well-built homes, while every effort has been made to preserve and protect the flora and fauna so as to maintain the area’s eco- system, he said.
“We are the only country in Asia that provides uninterrupted power supplies to all its people,” the President said.
The President expressed disappointment that any development work the state has undertaken since the end of the war is only viewed with suspicion by certain parties.
“Whether we build a road, a school, or other essential infrastructure, the government is criticisd for whatever good work it does. Instead of talking about the benefits, they can only find fault. When we build roads, they will keep count of the accidents that occur on those roads,” he said.
A bund 180 metres long and 355 metres high was built across the Kotmale Oya to make the Upper Kotmale reservoir. The 65acre reservoir has a capacity of 800,000 cubic metres. A 13-kilometre tunnel conveys water from the reservoir to the two underground 75 MW generators.
Other dignitaries present at the opening of the Upper Kotmale hydro-power project was the Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Nobuhito Hobo, and several Government Ministers, including Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, and Ministers Susil Premajayanth and Navin Dissanayake.