CEB Engineers against:

Sampur resettlement

by Manjula Fernando

The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) warned against using the strategic Sampur area for human settlement, calling on the government not to let political decisions to override country’s future industrial needs. CEBEU President Athula Wanniarachchi said the decision to relocate people in Sampur may serve local politicians but would be a death blow to country’s future power needs. “Land close to deep sea is ideal for industries like coal power plants, for coal unloading as well as to discharge cooling water as per the Central Environment Authority (CEA) requirements,” he explained.

Wanniarachchi also said they were not aware of any request by the government to the Indian State company NTPC, to shift planned coal power plant from Sampur in Trincomalee to Foul Point area in the same district.

“We came to know of this plan, reportedly taken up during the Prime Minister’s visit in India, through Indian media,” the Union Chief said.

This will be the second time the Indian power plant will be shifting locations.

In 2007, the NTPC relocated the plant from south of Trincomalee to North delaying the US US$ 500 million worth project initiated in 2006.