New power plant at Norochcholai heavily criticized

COLOMBO (News1st): Critics have lashed out at the proposed power generation unit at the power plant in Norochcholai, despite multiple breakdowns in the generators at the facility. The second generator at the power plant had been deactivated on June 10, due to a repair on a transmission line. "We expect that this situation will be rectified by next Tuesday," Sulakshana Jayawardena, the spokesman at the power and energy ministry told News 1st. Former Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunnetti, said that moves are underway to construct another 300 Megawatt power generation unit at the plant. "Where is the plan for the project? Has the Public Utilities Commission approved this? Have the construction companies been chosen through tender?," Handunnetti queried. He claimed that the project has been handed over to China Machinery Engineering Corporation without following a proper tender process. The former COPE Chairman pointed out that it is the people who ultimately face the brunt of such projects, as electricity bills are hiked to recover the losses faced by state authorities.