Boost for power supply in Vavuniya

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

A large transformer was transported last week by road from the Wattala- Aniyakande power sub station to the Vavuniya power sub station under the 180 day Uthuru Wasanthaya program.

The transformer worth Rs 20 million weighing 65 tons which will provide electricity to vast areas in Vavuniya and other adjacent areas is now being installed at the Vavuniya power sub station. The capacity of the Vavuniya sub station will be increased from 20 megawatts to 50 megawatts and a plan is being worked out to increase it to 60 megawatts, a spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board said.

The General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Ranjith Gunewardena, along with Deputy General Manager of the Transmission Project, P. S. P. Mendis and the Managers of the Vavuniya Sub Station H. D. A. Peiris, and Kilinochchi Transmission Project Anurudha Tillakeratne supervised the transportation of the transformer.

The Ceylon Electricity Board plans to complete Phase 1 of the project by 2010 that will provide power to development projects launched by the Government without any hindrance.

The entire Northern Province will be provided with electricity within the next two years under the Uthuru Wasanthaya program.

The entire project will cost around Rs 6 billion, which will be borne by the State. A fortnight ago the first transformer was installed near the Iranamadhu tank in Kilinochchi to provide electricity to the Kilinochchi areas.