Coal power capacity to be increased
Chaminda PERERA
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiling the plaque at the pinnacle
laying cermony of the newly constructed Dagaba of the Sri
Anandaramaya Temple in Keenagahawela, Eheliyagoda yesterday.
Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi,Vasudeva Nanayakkara, JHU
Parliamentarian Ven Ellawala Medhananda Thera and Viharadhikari
Ven Kurundankulame Dhammawansa Thera were also present. Picture
by Chandana Perera
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Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday said that
she would increase the coal power generation capacity from 300 Mw to 900
Mw to provide a unit of electricity to consumers at Rs 7.50 within a
year.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony to unveil the Pinnacle of
Sri Anandaramaya in Keenagahavila in Eheliyagoda, the Minister said
consumers have to pay Rs 23.50 for a unit of electricity and she has
been instructed by the President to increase the coal power capacity to
900MW .
She said the previous government purchased a unit of electricity from
power stations owned by private companies at Rs 40.
“The government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa changed this
situation by initiating new power projects” she said. The Minister said
that the CEB incurs a loss of Rs 70 million per day,but, the President
has instructed her not to increase electricity tariffs charged from
religious institutions. She said that religious institutions have to pay
only Rs 1.90 per unit.
“The President has instructed me not to touch on religious
institutions” he said. She said President Rajapaksa has well understood
the pivotal role played by religious institutions in promoting moral
values in society.
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