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Monday, 3 May 2010

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Energy needs: Present and long term

Sri Lanka is heavily dependent on the use of petroleum for producing energy. As it is known fossil fuel deposits in the world are limited. Hence it is becoming scarce day by day.

Besides, Sri Lanka has been totally dependent on imports for its requirements of crude oil. The price of petroleum in the world market is rising. In this context it is clear that the country has to look out for alternative sources of energy.

The Government has already started the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. Another coal power plant will come up in Trincomalee. Coal, is also not an inexhaustible raw material. It too has to be imported.

While the steps taken by the Government may be adequate to meet the present demand for energy it would not be sufficient in the future. Therefore it is necessary to have a long-term strategy to ensure the necessary energy sources for the development of the country.

It is in this context that the experiments and research currently undertaken by the Moratuwa University to produce bio-methane from waste become important.

Sri Lanka has to switch to sustainable sources of energy at some future date. The earlier it is the better. In this respect, priority should be given to develop all such sustainable and eco-friendly sources of energy.

Sri Lanka spends much more than other countries in our region to produce a unit of electric power. In fact, electricity is sold to the consumer at a subsidized rate. It is necessary to bring down the cost of production. It would require raising the productivity of labour as well as cutting down waste.

The new Minister has pledged to make the CEB a profit making venture in the shortest time, which is also an unenviable task.

While that is a short term measure it is necessary to have a holistic approach to the development of energy. Fortunately Sri Lanka is blessed by nature with various resources that could be harnessed in the long run.

Though we do not have coal the possibility of striking oil in Sri Lanka’s maritime zone is real. If found, it would guarantee our energy demands in the immediate future. However, we could develop other forms of energy which are sustainable such as solar power, wind power and bio-energy. Some interesting experiments have been undertaken recently in the way of utilizing bio-energy and wind power.

Sri Lanka has abundant sunlight throughout the year. Hence solar energy is an inexhaustible source. However, its cost of production remains high. It is necessary to invest in research to reduce the cost of production of solar energy. The same goes for wind energy. Bio-energy, on the other hand could be produced relatively cheaper.

One drawback in the Sri Lankan thinking is its craze for mega projects. It is necessary, instead, to go for medium and small scale projects at village and provincial level. Almost every part of Sri Lanka has enough raw materials for the production of bio-energy. If medium and small scale projects are designed it would be easier to find resources and reduce production costs with the mobilization of the local population for the supply of raw materials. The Provincial Councils and local government bodies could undertake such projects.

Though the potential for mega hydro-power projects has been almost exhausted by now there still remain potential for medium and small scale hydro-power projects too.

The private sector has so far not shown much initiative in venturing into these areas. Perhaps they would do so with proper government incentives. Public-private partnership would be a welcome alternative as it would reduce the risk of private entrepreneurs venturing alone into an untested territory.

The new Minister with his experience in the environmental field should seriously develop a plan for long-term sustainable energy security and proceed towards its implementation with the assistance of all stakeholders.

Post-Election Sri Lanka and the road ahead

However, an emergence of a new political culture in which unity and harmony instead of division and conflict are emphasized is essential for it to be successful. Time has come for Sri Lanka’s political leaders to put the country first instead of their narrow political interests.

Full Story

Ven. Uduwela Nanda makes children fly

Saturday (May 1, 2010), I was in Peradeniya. Well, Kiribathkumbura to be precise. I was with about a dozen of my batchmates from Peradeniya. We meet like this now and then, but this time it was a families-included affair. The ‘group’ was made up of a set of people who had opposed the JVP-led Student Action Committee of Peradeniya or were at least critical of their methods.

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My visits and experience in Jaffna:

Wandering in the land of palm fronds

What I noticed during my two visits to the Jaffna peninsula in February and April this year was that the people were very relaxed and happy and were once more travelling around in bicycles more than in any other form of transport. The Police and the Security Forces were very courteous and friendly towards not only the visitors but also to the general public of Jaffna.

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