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by P. KRISHNASWAMY

Over 100,000 people are expected to take part in a protest demonstration against the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project (UKHP) at Talawakelle today. It has been organised by the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) led by Minister of Housing and Plantation Infrastructure, Arumugan Thondaman. The CWC has expressed concern over the project's environmental hazards and the resettlement problem affecting the workers in Talawakelle.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) recently commenced the preparatory work on this Rs. 350 billion project, which was delayed following opposition by the CWC which has the largest parliamentary representation from the Nuwara-Eliya District where the project is sited.

The project will displace about 400 families, a majority of whom are estate workers in Talawakelle. The CWC which represents the bulk of the plantation workers, has stated that "in the long-term the project would affect people of villages and estates covering a vast area." The CWC had earlier sought a Cabinet paper guaranteeing environmental safeguards, proper resettlement of the displaced families, adequate compensation and equitable employment opportunities but without success.

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