Solar power for schools

A program to provide solar powered electricity for schools and village health centres in selected rural areas is in progress and co-ordinated by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon has stated that this is a development program implemented by the Government to improve rural health and educational infrastructure.

By this program implemented under concessionary credit facilities granted by the Government of Finland, solar powered water pumps, computers, television sets, energy efficient lights and vaccine refrigerators will be provided to selected rural schools and health centers.

The project has been implemented in seven districts such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Moneragala in the North Central, UVA and Central Provinces. The Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils has stated that 50 percent of the anticipated objectives have been achieved by the end of January this year.

Accordingly, this project has been completed in the districts of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and Solar power systems have been provided for 138 schools and staff quarters, 77 health centres and action has been taken by the project for the provision of 215 solar powered water pumping plants.