Electricity projects in North

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Parliament yesterday approved a supplementary estimate for Rs. 2,400 million to start electricity projects as parts of the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" program and for the Norochcholai coal power project.

Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said that plans are afoot to provide electricity for everyone in the North. Therefore, we need funds to implement these projects," he said. In addition, money is needed to expedite the work on the Norochcholai coal power plant. The Minister said electricity generation in the country will increase to a large extent by the end of next year with the completion of several power generation projects such as Norochcholai, Sampur, Upper Kotmale and Kerawalapitiya projects.

He also noted that the Government has not taken a decision to increase electricity rates in the near future.