|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 23 October 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Power cuts a thing of the past, says Karu by Rashomi Silva Power cuts will be a thing of past as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has the capacity of generating over 1900Mw per day which is more than the required demand of 1500Mw, said Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya. "It is our duty to provide electricity to all and make electricity a right than a privilege," the Minister said after inaugurating the Kelanitissa combined Cycle Power Plant yesterday adding another 165MW to the National Grid. Jayasuriya said during the early post independence era, Sri Lanka was a role model for Asia with its relatively high living standards, responsible and competent public services, police, judiciary and administration services. "Still 36 per cent of the people of this country use bottle lamps. It is our duty and wish to provide electricity to all and make electricity a right than a privilege," the Minister said. "Sri Lanka witnessed two episodes of insurgencies by educated youths in 1971 and 1989. One of the major reasons for youth unrest was uneven wealth distribution. It is our duty to ensure fair distribution of wealth," Jayasuriya said. He thanked the Japanese government and outgoing Japanese Ambassador Seiichiro Otsuka for Japan's role towards peace and the service to better the country's infrastructure.Otsuka who leaves Sri Lanka early next month reaffirmed his country's commitment to help Sri Lanka in its struggle to usher a better quality of life to the people of this country. The power plant which will meet more than 10 per cent of the country's power demand was constructed with Japanese aid. Out of the construction cost of over Rs. 10 million, Rs. 9.2 million was provided by the Japanese government through Japan Banking International Corporation as a soft loan and the rest was borne by the CEB. The power plant consisting of 110 MW capacity gas turbine and a 55MW capacity steam turbine enables the combined cycle to release 165 MW of electricity simultaneously. The plant has the flexibility of operating on Naphtha fuel, a by-product from the Petroleum refinery process and on petrol and diesel. Based on the current fuel prices, the generating cost per unit at Rs. 4 is so far the lowest thermal power generating cost in Sri Lanka, CEB officials said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
