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Thondaman strongly objects to Upper Kotmale Project

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Arumugan Thondaman expressed strong objections to the proposed Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project (UKHP). While stating that he has not changed his stand the Minister told the Daily News that the assurances he sought from the Government should be incorporated in a law.

The Daily News contacted Minister Thondaman for his comments on the latest development where the Cabinet has given the green light for the Upper Kotmale project to go ahead.

The Minister said that he sought assurances from the government with regard to the welfare of the people who would be dislocated to make way for the project as well as protective measures for damages caused to the environment.

He said that so far he has not received a satisfactory response for his demands.

Environmentalists have pointed out the extensive damage caused to the environment due to the implementation of the Kukuleganga Hydro-power project. The Ceylon Electricity Board had not honoured their commitment to minimise damages to the environment in this instance.

The Minister while agreeing that the country needs energy for development, queried "but at what cost? When questioned what the position would be if the project goes ahead despite his objections, Minister Thondaman replied "then the people would decide".

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