Archives

by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

Minister of Power and Energy Mr. Karu Jayasuriya who inspected the Upper Kotmale Hydro Project locations in the Talawakelle area along with his senior officials and later addressing a large gathering at the Talawakelle Urban Council hall, said the commencement of this project will take place on May 20, 2002.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya said the Government and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's object and goal is to re-restore peace and amity among all communities and thus embark on developing the entire nation and improve the masses with a quality of life. He said during his inspection tour in the area, the people fully endorsed the creation of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project and whereby the entire Talawakelle Kotmale area will not only be developed but the quality of their lives will be improved to a greater degree.

Thanking the Japanese Government and the Japanese people for embarking on such a giant project in Sri Lanka, he said the Japanese Aid will be around Rs. 3,200 billion, together with Sri Lanka's bearing an appreciable cost. The Government proposes to complete this project within a period of five years.

Minister Jayasuriya giving a vivid analysis of the proposed project said it was initially formulated through a feasibility study during 187, under the Japanese International Corporation Agency, and which had come to a reality at the moment. He added earlier due to certain difficulties in obtaining the environmental clearance, the project was delayed.

The Minister also assured the people who will be affected on account of this project, will be given all development perspectives, including housing and job opportunities.

Minister Jayasuriya said he was happy that the people of the area have come forward with their blessings and have extended their co-operation and goodwill readily.

Mr. M. M. Nimalasena, Chairman of the Talawakelle Lindula Urban Council in his welcome speech, said it was both an historical and important occasion for the people, who live in this part of the country. He assured that the masses of Talawakelle, Kotmale and other areas will give their unstinted co-operation and support towards the implementation of this service oriented project.

The plantation workers representatives who were present together with others urged the Minister that the people and the Estate Workers who will be affected by this project should be provided with equal opportunities in relation to job opportunities, living accommodation and all other human development perspectives.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya was associated with Minister P. Chandrasekaran, Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam, Pathmakeerthi Hemachandra, a senior citizen and a Director of Janatha Estates Development Board, the Government Agent, Nuwara Eliya P. Kumarasiri, Asst. District Secretary D. Karunatillake, Senior officials of the Department of Ceylon Electricity Board, Mr. S. Bharathidasan, Deputy Chairman of the Talawakelle Lindula Urban Councils. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager