Solar power to illuminate villages

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Power and Energy Ministry will provide solar power generation sets for over 37,000 families who have no access to electricity through the national grid under the Grama Shakthy programme, sources said.

Electricity will be provided to all throughout the country before the end of 2012. The Power and Energy Ministry has launched the Grama Shakthy programme to provide electricity to every rural village in the country.

The ministry is launching the project with the help of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). According to research, they have identified families without electricity at provincial level. There are 12,971 families in the Wayamba province; 7,678 families in Sabaragamuwa; 5,259 families in the Uva province; 4,887 families in the Eastern province; 3,133 families in the Northern province; 2,924 families in the Central province; 760 families in the Southern orovince; 185 families in the North Central province and 17 families in the Western province. The CEB stated that the Viduli Athwela programme which was initiated by Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka's concept was also a success.

The CEB has introduced a loan scheme to the families which are benefited by Samurdhi and to families who are receiving low income. Those families can obtain a loan of Rs.30,000 to get an electricity connection and can resettle it within five years.