Somawathiya Temple electrification begins on Monday

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Somawathiya Temple electrification project will commence at the Temple on Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne's instructions on Monday, Project Co-ordinating Officer Harsha B. Abeykoon said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the Minister to complete the project within a month, the Co-ordinating Officer said. Rs. 5 million out of the total estimated cost of Rs. 18 million will be provided from the President's Fund, he said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board had raised Rs. 5 million for the initial work. Lanka Electricity Company Ltd. and Lanka Transformers Ltd. will also contribute to the project on the Minister's direction.

Abeykoon said although many politicians had pledged to supply electricity to the Temple, the project did not become a reality.