30 April 2020 12:00 am
By Sandun A Jayasekera and Palitha Ariyawansa
Construction of the hydro power plant at Uma-Oya, that had been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak would be completed in six months to add 120 MWs with 230 GWhs to the national grid, Power, Energy and Commuter Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.
Minister Amaraweers paid an inspection tour to the project site yesterday to see the progress of the construction. The Construction of the power plant had been suspended for about two months as officers and labourers brought down by the Iranian contractor from that country had left Sri Lanka due to the viral infection. However, the constructions were restarted last week with the help of Sri Lankan engineers and labourers.
Officials told Minister Amaraweera that the construction was in progress in rapid phase and could be completed in five months. “The Uma – Oya Multi Purpose Development Project plans to develop the entire Ruhuna with ample water round the year for drinking and agricultural purposes. In addition of 230 MWs to the national grid, the project would also contribute to resolve the current power crisis,” Minister Amaraweera said. Minister Amaraweera also said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed all cabinet Ministers to restart all development projects that had been stalled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.