Two mega power plants for Trincomalee

Athapattu Bandara

The Power and Energy Ministry has planned to build two mega power plants in the district, under government's programme to develop Trincomalee as the fourth industrialized region in the country, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

The minister was addressing a public gathering where a mobile power service was provided for the public at Agrabodhi Maha Vidyalaya Kanthale, after the inauguration of eight power schemes, at a cost of Rs. 64 million. The power schemes will benefit around 775 families of Padavi Sripura, Gomarankadawala, Morawewa, Kanthale, Seruwila and Thambalagamuwa.

He said it's government's responsibility to bring relief to the people by providing essential services like electricity and other infrastructure facilities.

"Eighty percent of the Trincomalee district has been provided with electricity and the balance 20 percent will also be provided lights before year's end," he promised.

"The entire district will be provided electricity before next year. The day when Trincomalee becomes the fourth industrialized district in the country is not far away", he said.

"The government earlier planned to electrify the entire country by 2017, we have advance the date as the country is experiencing a development boom," the minister said.

"Though the entire process of supplying power to a single domestic unit cost higher, the government bears the loss and provides electricity at a cheaper rate. We, during last few years, relaxed the rules that obstructed the provision of power to household customers. In addition, we also provided a loan of Rs.30.000 for the poorest families to receive electricity facilities," he said.

The minister clarifying the power cuts which had been introduced in recent days said this situation was a temporary one due to the drought condition. He urged the public to preserve energy especially during the peak hours between 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm to avail the authorities provide a continuous power supply for the entire country.

"We provide electricity for the benefit of people and to help them progress in their lives. Our sole aim is to provide a bright future for the rural children, he said.

"Don't act like beggars who go after politicians begging for government jobs. Be entrepreneurs in your respective regions by strengthening the government's capacity and building a prosperous future for you and the country, minister Ranawaka said.

"You have two choices. One is treading down a dark road road with a bleak future or making progress through hard work. The road to success is not an easy one, but it is reachable through sheer hard work," he said.