Norochcholai would not affect environment

Energy Minister assures Parish Priest

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The proposed Norochcholai coal power plant would not affect the environment as speculated, Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne had assured the Parish Priest of the Thalawila Shrine, Ministry sources said.

The latest technology utilised by the plant would make use of 99% of the waste in the form of gases and fly ash as by products without emitting them to the environment the Minister had pointed out. Parish Priest of Thalawila Shrine Father Sunil said the Catholic Church was concerned about environmental issues and agreed that the project was a national priority.

Minister Seneviratne had assured the parish priest that hot water would not be directly discharged into the sea as alleged by a ceratin section with vested interests but would be cooled within the plant and could be used for agriculture as done in countries like China.

The Minster had ruled out any possibility of threat to the fisheries industry or the marine life.

The Minister had regarded the construction of the power plant as a must to avert a power crisis in the near future and pointed out that it would contribute to the social development of the area.

The Minister had requested the blessings of the Catholic Church for the project.

According to the sources the Ministry had arranged a study tour in China for a delegation that included representatives of the villagers.