Massive power project for North

by Ananda KANNANGARA

A massive electricity scheme under the Government's `Uthuru Wasanthaya' program will be initiated by the Power and Energy Ministry in the Northern Province before the end of this month.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne has already ordered the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) officials to expedite the program.

Minister Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer that priority is given to provide electricity to villages where over 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are living at present.

Accordingly, people in 400 villages in the Northern Province will receive over 80,000 new power connections within a period of three years.

The Minister said Rs. 3,750 million has been allocated by the Government to construct transmission lines and sub stations which were destroyed during the terror period.

Under this program, a new 132 KV power transmission line will be constructed between Vavuniya and Chunnakkam. Two power sub stations will also be constructed in Kilinochchi.

Minister Seneviratne further said a new power plant will also be constructed in the Jaffna Peninsula to generate 30 mw capacity.