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The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka wants the government to continue with the Upper Kotmale Power Project.

The institution said: The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka notes with alarm reports appearing in the daily newspapers to the effect that the Government has decided not to proceed with the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project.

It was only in June this year that the Institution expressed its appreciation to the Government on its decision to proceed with both the Kotmale and Norochcholai power projects.

At a time when there is an extremely serious shortage of power and the Government and the CEB have been compelled to resort to the very expensive means of diesel generation to meet the power needs of the country, the Institution fails to comprehend this latest reported decision of the Government.

It is reported that the CEB is in an acute financial crisis with debts in the region of Rs. 26 billion. The only means (apart from very high price increases) of overcoming this critical situation is the commissioning of the Kotmale and Norochcholai power plants without any further delay. The present financial crisis has been created by the inordinate delays by various governments not implementing these vital large power projects that will enable the production of adequate and affordable electricity which will ease the already heavy burden on the consumers and will enable the rapid development of the economy.

The need to implement these vital power plants has long been recognised. This position was accepted by this very Government and the Minister of Power and Energy has repeatedly expressed the need and the commitment of this Government to proceed with these projects.

It is, in this context, that the Institution of Engineers is shocked to read of the decision not to proceed with this project and most earnestly urge the Government to proceed with both these projects with no further vacillation and delays.