New project to increase electricity supply

Raja Waidyasekera- Tissamaharama Special Corr.

A project has been launched by a Lankan firm in collaboration with an Indian firm in Hambantota to provide 10 megawatts of electricity to the Hambantota national grid.

The materials that will be used for the project are paddy husks, timber dust, straw and wildly growing invasive plants such as Kalapuandara and Katuandara. The project co-ordinator Noel Gunaratna said that rice mill owners in Hambantota, Tissamaharama and Suriyawewa have pledged to supply the required quantum of paddy husks for the project.

There are many rice mills in the district.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa on August 26. Noel Gunaratne said that within two years of the commencement of the project 10 megawatts would be added to the national grid in Hambantota.

He said that 150 indirect and 1500 direct job opportunities would be created with the implementation of the project.