News

N’cholai power plant expansion project: CEB engineers write to Prez seeking clarification

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/28

By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lankan government had saved more than USD 2 billion, thanks to three coal-fired power plants at the Lakvijaya Complex in Norochcholai, a foreign expert said, adding that the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) had already invested USD four million to extend it to a fourth plant.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) too has invested USD one million on the proposed fourth, plant urgently needed.

Officials at the plant complex told The Island that officially they had not been asked to halt the plant. “In that case, there is a high probability the CMEC would take up the matter at a different level”, they said.

Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) President, Eng. Saumya Kumarawadu has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on some media reports claiming that the government has decided to terminate the ongoing Lakvijaya Power Plant – 300MW Extension Project.

“We are certain that your Excellency will provide the Ministry of Power and the CEB all the necessary directions and assistance to complete this nationally important 300MW coal power extension project within the shortest possible time considering concrete facts.”

The fourth plant at Norochcholai would give an annual saving of more than Rs. 27 billion, former CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath told the writer recently.

Last year, the Cabinet decided that the contract for the construction of the fourth unit should be given to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) considering the huge revenue saved due to the contribution from 3×300 MW plants.

Cabinet proposals dated 05.02.2020 and also 03.06.2020 submitted by the President were aimed at implementing the 300MW coal power extension project because the country was facing an imminent power shortage because not a single large low-cost power plant had been set up since 2014, according to the CEBEU President.

Kumarawadu said the 300MW plant would generate nearly 2 billion units of electricity a year. The fuel cost per unit of the existing coal plant is Rs.10 less than the next lowest thermal option available––furnace oil power plants. Hence, the average annual savings to the country by the new plant would be around Rs. 20 billion, according the to CEB engineers, who pointed out that the investment required for the new extension unit was comparatively low. They noted that all other power projects in the pipeline required a massive amount of investments in infrastructure and take a a very long time for implementation. “This should be seriously considered by the government in a situation where the country is facing severe financial hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” the CEBEU has written to the President.

All preliminary work, related to the project, like comprehensive feasibility studies, the finalisation of technical requirements, commercial agreements, etc., was now complete, and everything was ready for the commencement of construction work, he said adding that the comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) too was ready for public perusal.

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Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon

News

Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Namal Rajapaksa being brought to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.

Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.

The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.

News

Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

The number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka this year has risen to 96,040, with 72 deaths recorded so far, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.

The Unit said 10,155 cases were reported in August alone, highlighting the continuing spread of the disease across several parts of the country.

The Western Province has recorded the highest number of cases at 50,760, followed by the Southern Province with 13,931, the Central Province with 8,788 and the Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,910.

At district level, Gampaha has reported the highest number of cases at 20,444, followed by Colombo with 19,008.

Kandy has recorded 7,043 cases, while Kalutara and Matara have reported 6,181 and 6,154 cases,a respectively.

The National Dengue Control Unit said 50 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the country have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.

Health authorities have continued to urge the public to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding, particularly in areas where a high incidence of dengue has been reported.