Creating yet another historic landmark in the country's power generation sector, the long hydro power plant project is to be ready by January. Engineering say that over 75 percent of the project is now completed; the final stages are now under way.
Engineers have created a 25 hectare reservoir across the Kotmale Oya and a 35.5 metre tall and 180 metre long dam is being built across it. In addition to the Sri Lanka staff, employees of Japan's Mayeda Company are involved in the construction of the project. The upper Kotmale hydro power plant was one of the most controversial projects in the country due to the bleak picture of the project presented by environmentalists. They went to the extent of saying that the implementation of the project would result in earthquakes in the hill country and the water falls running dry.
In addition to the relocation of families, they said, flora and fauna and the ecocircle in upcountry areas would be disturbed due to this project. Opposition politicians too capitalised on this which delayed the launch of the project. Today, with the project nearing completion, the myths ad controversies have died a natural death.
USD 385 million has invested in this Project. This project would generate 150 megawatts. Hydro power is still the world's cheapest source of power generation and this is an investment made with the country's future in mind.
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