Houses for Norochcholai displaced

Wasantha Ramanayake

NOROCHCHOLAI: Families who would lose their houses due to the construction of the Norachcholai Coal Fired Power Plant will get new houses in December, Power and Energy Minister John Senevirathne said.

Addressing the media after inspecting the construction site at Daluwa area close to Norochcholai, he expressed his satisfaction over the progress. "I am impressed by the progress so far. We have Block No.1 with over 40 houses nearing completion and with 40 houses in block 2, the project would be ready by December to be handed over to the families," he said.

"As soon as the resettlement is over, the 200 acre land will be available for the construction of the power plant," Senevirathne said.

The Minister noted that all families would be entitled to an extent of two acres of land for cultivation. He said fishermen were also provided with fishing nets.

The Minister said those who had owned land within the power plant site would be compensated after an evaluation by the Government.

"They could appeal to the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Committee to get further relief, if compensation would not be sufficient."

Project Director Tissera Herath, Media Secretary Harsha B. Abeykoon, North Western Provincial Fisheries Minister Victor Anthony and CEB officials also participated.