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by Rashomi Silva

Cradled in the glorious mountainous South-Central region of Sri Lanka, the project site of proposed Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Station is a treat to weary eyes.

This is where waterfalls reign, their cascading waters adding a sense of serenity to the landscape. Devon falls, main and mini St. Clairs waterfalls, Puna, Ramboda and Pundal waterfalls and hidden St. Andrew's Cascade are the water suppliers to the power station. Enveloped in thick fog the spectacular mountains and the gigantic waterfalls reminding one the mountainous kingdoms found in fantasy land of the fairy tales.

Kotmale oya, one of the tributaries of Mahaweli ganga will be the chief water provider to the Upper Kotmale Hydro project. Water of Kotmale oya will be diverted at Talawakelle intake dam, into the headrace tunnel and then to the powerhouse situated at the upstream end of Kotmale Reservoir. Via diversion tunnels and headrace tunnels six other water streams are diverted to the Talawakelle intake dam.

The feasibility study was started in 1985. With the technical support of Japan International Cooperation agency the study was successfully completed in 1987. Following the study an Engineering Services loan was signed in 1992 between the Government of Sri Lanka and the then Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan. With the Japanese aid Conceptual Design, Environmental Impact Assessment and the final design were completed by 1995. However, the project got delayed till 2000 due to the difficulties faced by the authorities in getting the environmental clearance.

However, in 2000 the then Ministry of Forestry and Environment gave the green light for the project to go ahead, provided it will reduce the catchment areas by the recommended percentage in different waterfalls and Water will be discharged intermittently during fixed intervals as mitigation measures to minimise the adverse effect on the scenic value and the environment.

The environmentalist lobby strongly oppose the Upper Kotmale project citing adverse effects on the environment. Why not consider the Yoroxford option? they ask. We directed this question to Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, a professional in the field of Resource Management. "The Yoroxford option had been studied for past few years by both local and foreign experts and it proved to be ineffective and inappropriate.

There is a thick layer of lime stone and a deep cavity beneath the exterior. To build a dam there had to be a solid rock otherwise the water will be absorbed. Shavindranath Fernando, the Director of Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project commenting on the Yoroxford option said if a dam was built in Yoroxford a considerable amount of water will be absorbed by the lime stone layer and the rest will go through the cavity to the innermost core of the earth. So that option is completely out," The second option they (environmentalists) voice is go for several minor scale power stations? "That too is ineffective. Because there has to be a considerable height difference to built a power station. Small water falls do not give a potent level difference."

Can't Sri Lanka generate electricity using tidal power? "For power generation the level difference is essential. To produce electricity using tidal difference we need at least currants with hight of 2-3Km in Sri Lanka the maximum tidal different we get about 1\2Km, and that is also far away from the shores.

Because of the free availability and the economic reasons the best power generating methods for country like our's is hydro electricity and thermal power. Dr. Siyambalapitya was of the view.

The diesel power plant that are used to generate electricity emits every day three tons of sulphur to the atmosphere. And that has ranked Sri Lanka amongst the countries with highest electricity bill in the region. If the Upper Kotmale had not been blocked by the environmentalist, the project would have been producing electricity by now and we would not have faced with the power crisis and more importantly the electricity rates would be far lower than the present rates.

The settlers in the project site mainly estate labourers and workers will be deprived of their dwelling places. However when Daily News visited the project site the misery of the people could be clearly seen.

Extended families dwell in a tiny houses with less than 100 square feet. They have no toilet or any other sanitary facilities, The only toilets they knew was a lake flowing in proximity. During the rainy period the lake overflows, "we can hardly remain here any longer. Our children often get sick" the dwellers grieve. "If the project gets under way we were told we will be given a house with all the facilities and a land to do gardening.

The project will do good for both the country and to us. Those who oppose the project for our sake have never ever visited us to see how we are living in such a terrible condition". They told in a unison: "However we were not told where we will be settled.", they added.

Madakumbure Sammadi thera said, the country has to go ahead our communities have to go forward. "We are the people living in this area. We want the project to go ahead all we ask from the authorities is to minimise the adverse effect on the environment. The recent protest rally which was participated by the Mahanayekes means nothing for those of us in the area. The participants were brought by interested parties from Baddudala, Hatton, Kotagala, Maskeliya and Bogawanthalawa.

"We will settle the dwellers within city limits and they will have seven perch land and a house with electricity, water and sanitary facilities", the project Director said.

"Number of major development projects country undertakes during a year is a good barometer to judge the pace of the development of any country, says Dr. Siyambalapitiya. "Out of development projects, power generating projects have a unique standing because they directly affect the country's industries and the productivity. In a growing economy like ours contracts should be signed every year.

A major contract Sri Lanka signed with regards to the power generation was Kalanitissa Thermal power project in 1999. Since then we have not signed any agreement. The result was the power crisis we experienced during 96 and 2000," he said.

So far the country has lost Rs 45 million owing to the delay in setting up the Norochchole power plant. This is a heavy blow to the economy. It is estimated to keep up with the development needs of Sri Lanka 100-150 Mw has to be added to the National Grid every year to avoid a another power crisis in the future.

We are heading for another major power crisis in year 2004". Unless we wake up from this slumber we will be a backward country unable to keep up with the pace of the developing world, he added.

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