Indian protest over power projects Cabinet seeks further details

• Controversy after an Indian registered  protest over the selection of a Chinese company

By Kelum Bandara  

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 yesterday.   

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. 

• India said it was a security threat to them