Sri Lanka stands up due to China support despite international pressure - Basil Rajapakse

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 August 2009, 06:27 GMT]
“China has extended its support to the country to stand up despite international pressures on Sri Lanka in recent times. We thank the Government of the China for its unstinted support,” Senior Presidential Advisor, Basil Rajapakse, said Thursday addressing a ceremony to mark the successful completion of the first phase of the Nuraichchoalai coal power plant. The ceremony was held according to Chinese traditions.

A statue of Lord Buddha brought from China will adorn the Nuraichchoalai power plant premises.

Mr. Basil Rajapakse said that the government of China had often granted financial support to Sri Lanka to develop roads, the railways, the harbour and other facilities as well.

He said that after the completion of the Nuraichchoalai power plant almost 25% of the country’s electricity requirements would be met.

Minister of Power and Energy, W. D. J. Seneviratne, said that the first phase of the Nuraichchoalai power plant has been completed and would add 300 megawatts of energy to the national grid in the first quarter of 2010.

The Minister also said the second and third stages of the power plant are to be initiated soon.

“We are attempting to provide electricity for a reasonable price in the future as thousands of megawatts are to be added the national grid after the completion of the Upper Kotmale Power Project in Kerawalapitiya and other power plant,” the minister said.