Students can be Energy Ministers in their homes - Minister Ranawaka

Atapattu BANDARA

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said students can be the Energy Ministers in their homes and if the entire student generation which represents around 4.2 million are active in energy preservation , Sri Lanka will save a great deal of energy.

“If they managed to switch off 2.6 million refrigerators operational from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm we can preserve 215 megawatts from the national grid.

“If we switch off one bulb of 60 megawatt during that time it will preserve 175 megawatts and save money and energy, the minister said.

Power and Energy Ministry yesterday inaugurated its national programme of awareness campaigns on energy conservation among schoolchildren to create a country where energy is preserved for the next generation, at Vishaka Vidyalaya.

The programme was initiated jointly with the Education Ministry, and workshops and seminars on power preservation will be held throughout the country with the support of zonal education officers.

Around 1000 students representing 30 schools attended the inauguration ceremony under the auspices of Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The programme is organized by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA). A team comprising 60 experts have been trained under the direct supervision of SLAEA.

An island wide competition on energy preservation under the sponsorship of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel has been arranged to attract student participation.

The Power and Energy Ministry sources said the objective of holding these programmes is to educate schoolchildren on power preservation and encourage them to be the decisive factor in controlling power in their homes.

Students who show talent and dedication to reduce electricity bills in their homes will be awarded prizes and scholarships, it was confirmed. Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA) Director General Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala, Vishaka Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali Abiruppala and Sri Lanmka Telecom Mobitel Senior General Manager Nalin Perera were also present.