Cabinet seeks further details

19 February 2021 09:56 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Cabinet has sought more details about the renewable energy project to be executed in three islands off Jaffna - Nagadeepa, Delft and Analativu - with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an official said.

The project is now mired in controversy after Indian registered protest over the selection of a Chinese company to execute the project.

However, spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Sulakshana Jayawardane told Daily Mirror that the contract was awarded to the Chinese company for the implementation of this project after calling for international competitive bids. He said these are islands with no access to the national grid.

“We currently use diesel power to generate electricity for the island people. It is costly. Therefore, we decided to implement a hybrid renewable energy project,” he said.

He said the Cabinet had sought more details about the project and no decision had been made to suspend the projects.

Earlier, India registered its protest through the diplomatic channel against the involvement of a Chinese company, saying it was a security threat to them.

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo also responded to media reports in this regard. A spokesman for the embassy said the company secured the project after participation in an open, competitive tender process. He also said it was a commercial project only.(Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 14

Kathir Saturday, 20 February 2021 03:55 AM

Inviting Chinese companies in this region very close to Tamil Nadu and India military gouvernment in Sri Lanka should bear all the repercussions.

Demuni Uduwara Saturday, 20 February 2021 06:33 AM

Has CEB called for tenders following due process? This should be transparent.

Makanal Saturday, 20 February 2021 07:06 AM

Though genuinely interested, China seeming to poke nose everywhere in the region, and Sri Lanka, a small and economically weak country committing things that raise concerns in the neighbouring India is not or cannot be good.

Peacemaker Saturday, 20 February 2021 07:50 AM

This proxy war is going to destroy SL, nadasena and henchmen will destroy this country and flee to their motherland, the USA

Jaffna Resident Saturday, 20 February 2021 07:59 AM

The Chinese are here in Jaffna to help us with renewable energy while Indians were here in Jaffna, 35 years ago, killing the Tamil civilians in thousands. That is the difference between the Chinese and the Indians in Jaffna.

Sokrates Saturday, 20 February 2021 08:02 AM

Chinese rubbish, Chinese rubbish and again Chinese rubbish. The Sri Lankan government will never learn from the mistakes in the past..

Dee Saturday, 20 February 2021 09:40 AM

So cabinet (the guardian of the country assets) blindly gave approval? So much of scope for ground mounted solar(whithin unused land whithin dry zone), so many local companies willing to along with foreign investment. Can't get approval. But they blindly give approval for a Chinese company for an island very close to India.

FF Saturday, 20 February 2021 10:58 AM

DELAYING TACTIC

Prof Jey R Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:20 AM

If it's a ADB loan.. then what is Chinese involvement !? Confusing... Asian Development Bank will give loan to Sri Lanka.. then what is China or India have to do with this Project ???

Prieckshith Vaithialingam Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:35 AM

Between it is Nainativu not nagadeepa

Antony Jude Saturday, 20 February 2021 06:29 PM

It is a bad idea to give any projects to a Chinese company in northern coastel area closed to india. There are so many Srilankan companies capable of doing renewable energy projects in Srilanka. Then why should we go for a Chinese company? This government act as a foolish government in the world.

Thavamanis Saturday, 20 February 2021 07:44 PM

With India being our neighbour country forget development... They will pull us down if we develop We gave Trinco oil tanks to India...what did they do? They only waste our national assets I also see many Indians commenting here... They always poke nose..

LOL Saturday, 20 February 2021 10:14 PM

The Project had been approved earlier by the Cabinet of Ministers. Now the Cabinet is supposed to be calling for details! Just imagine the quality of the members in the Cabinet?

Buddhist Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:07 PM

Are the engineers so stupid as to offer three Islands to Chinese closer to India? Are they truly qualified engineers, even a child would know the dangers of this move.

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Cabinet seeks further details

Comments - 14

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