Uthuru Janani powers Jaffna

Athapattu Bandara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday vested the "Uthuru Janani" power station in Chunnakam with the people of Jaffna as promised in the Mahinda Chinthana policy initiatives that the entire country would be provided with power before the end of 2013.

The Jaffna district uses power generated from the private sector which causes an irreparable loss to the Ceylon Electricity Board. This newly built power plant will be operated by furnace oil.

The 24 megawatt capacity power station will produce one unit at a cost of Rs. 17.66. The Uthuru Janani power station's annual power capacity will be 176 million units. The station will help the Ceylon Electricity Board save Rs.1.35 billion annually for the provision of electricity to Jaffna.

The power station consists of oil storage and refining facilities for electricity generation with an eco - friendly waste disposal system.

The construction of the Uthuru Janani which began in April last year by Lakdanaw company at a cost Rs3,500 million was carried out with local investments and expertise.

Traditional Industries and Small Entrepreneurs Minister Douglas Devananda, Power and Energy Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Chairman Kanchana Jayarathana were also present.