Investigations on Norochcholai in progress

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Tabling a document in Parliament by Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said yesterday that the CID has commenced investigations to ascertain whether a salt or chemical akin to salt had been introduced into the condenser system of the Norochcholai coal power plant.

The Minister who tabled the document in response to a query by UNP Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake said that 1936 Gwh (gigawatthours) of electricity power was lost to the national grid owing to the suspension of power generation at the Norochcholai power plant due to breakdowns and maintenance work.

The document further said if there was any truth that salt or chemical akin to salt had been introduced into the condenser system of the power plant on February 13, 2014, has not yet been confirmed. However, the CID is conducting investigations on the matter. Those involved in the alleged incident have not yet been identified.

The Ministry would take legal action against anyone found guilty of sabotage based on the findings of the CID, the Minister said.