Solar power for Moneragala's rural areas

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: Women's Empowerment and Child Development Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena recently opened the community centre of the Monaragala town and installed 300 solar systems in homes owned by low income families in the area, Coordinating Secretary to the Minister W. Wijekoon said.

He said this technologically advanced project provides energy facilities to 300 households in remote rural areas in Wellawaya, Madulla and Siyambalanduwa in the Monaragala district that do not have electricity and no plans to gain electricity within the coming years.

The photovoltaic panel comprise of photovoltaic cells that able to convert solar light to electricity. The solar home system installed in each house is capable of providing electricity to satisfy everyday needs of each household.

The main objective of this project is to offer to the children of those families read and study during the night without using kerosene oil lamps. This project was co-funded by Hellenic Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greece and approved by Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry and supported by Women's Empowerment and Child Development Ministry.

The project had been implemented by a Greek INGO named Athen's Network of Collaborating Experts (ANCE). Another similar project to be implemented by the same INGO responding to the growing demand of other needy families of the same area.