Parliament

'Sampur power plant, a boon to country'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday.

After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act No 14 of 2008 for debate.

'Country would benefit from project'

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena: These orders under the Strategic Development Project Act No 14 of 2008, have been taken up, to seek Parliament approval with regard to setting up of a 500 mw coal power plant in Sampur.

This is a joint venture of the Ceylon Electricity Board and NTC Limited in India. Both these companies have contributed 50 percent shares each to the project and therefore, it is wrong to say that the Sampur coal power plant had been handed over to India.

The total investment has been around US $ 590 million. This is a timely action since the country spends large amounts of money to import fuel. With the implementation of this coal power plant, we would be able to reduce the cost spent for generating electricity. The country could reap many benefits later through this project.

We have targeted that the electricity demand would be increased by 12 percent in the future. That is why, we decided to go for an alternative source. We have targeted to set up more hydro power plants and coal power plants throughout the country and we would be able to increase the generation of electricity, thereby decreasing the cost of production for generating electricity. There has been a fuel crisis in the world. Therefore, we would be able to see many fruitful results during the coming years with the construction of this coal power plant.

'Minimize usage of fuel for generating electricity'

Dr Harsha de Silva (UNP): The government should take measures to minimize the usage of fuel for generating electricity. Today, the Ceylon Electricity Board has incurred huge losses due to purchasing of fuel for generating electricity. Therefore, the government should go for an alternate method.

This is a very good move by establishing a coal power plant, jointly with the Indian company, which has 50 percent shares while the Ceylon Electricity Board's contribution have been 50 percent shares for the project. Today, the people are living in great hardship. Prices of essential items have been increased. The government has increased taxes imposed on consumer items. This would place more burdens on the shoulders of the people.

'Govt must resettle the people in Sampur'

R Sampanthan (TNA) : The government should take measures to resettle the people in their native lands in the Sampur area, excluding the total amount of lands acquired for the construction of the coal power plant. This had been an ancient Tamil village. The people want to get back their lands.

I do not understand why the government hasnot taken measures to resettle people in their native Sampur? Why the resettlement process was being unduly delayed? These people should be resettled as early as possible.

People not consulted when acquiring land

Wijitha Herath (DNA): Over 500 families have been displaced due to this coal power plant in Sampur. These people have not been consulted with regard to acquiring their lands. No relief has been granted to them. Around 1,200 people were currently living around the coal power station. Their lives and properties are at a risk. The government should consider this situation.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka: We have decided to set up a new coal power plant in Sampur, after completion of the feasibility study and after obtaining the environmental impact assessment report.

We will invest around US $ 590 million to generate 500 mw of electricity through this project.

"We have gained experience from the Puttalam power plant. The new Sampur power plant is not an Indian project. It is done by us. We have taken measures to acquire 500 acres of land.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair

We hope to extend electricity to Habarana and Veyangoda.

Trincomalee has been identified as a significant place to make as energy hub. We are trying to make it.

The Sampur Power plant is constructed with the latest modern technology with the least damage to the environment.

Parliament was adjourned until 1 pm today.

Final decision on sending women abroad for employment

Foreign Employment Promotions Minister Dilan Perera, yesterday told Parliament that the government would take a final decision on sending housemaids to Jordan depending on the outcome of his fact finding mission next week.

Minister Perera while admitting there were issues concerning housemaids in Jordan said he is intended to discuss the issue with Jordanian authorities during his visit. “We will decide whether to suspend sending female workers to Jordan as housemaids depending n the outcome of my visit,” he added.

He said this in response to a question raised by UNP Ratnapura District MP Ranjan Ramanayake as to why the government continue to send housemaids to Jordan despite several other countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh and even Ethiopia have stopped sending female workers.

“There are nearly 250 female workers stranded in the safe house attached to the Sri Lankan mission in Jordan.

They suffer with minimum facilities and I would like to knowas to why the government has not stopped sending female workers to Jordan,” he asked.

In response minister Perera said steps are underway to repatriate those in the safe house and that a group of 30 persons already returned to the country last month.

The minister also responding to a query by Ramanayake on Rizana Nafeek said the government is negotiating to get the victim’s parents to consent a pardon for Nafeek.

“This should be handled carefully and patiently. Holding demonstrations in front of embassies will only aggravate the issue as they consider Sharia Law as the divine law,” he added.