President launches UKHP project
 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project yesterday while Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo look on. Pix: Sudath Silva

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the country’s largest hydro power project, the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project (UKHP) yesterday.

It will add 150 megawatts to the national grid.

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Additional General Manager and UKHP Project Director Shavindranath Fernando said that electricity to the value of Rs.11,000 million will be supplied annually by the Upper Kotmale Power Project and its cost of Rs.60,000 million will be covered in six years.

The UKHP mooted several decades ago, had been suspended due to environmental concerns.

The UPFA Government gave the green light for the project by overcoming problems which hindered its implementation and the project was launched in 2006.

The Japanese Government provided financial support for the project. LSAW