India assures that its recently-commissioned solar electrification project would reach neighboring villages in the jungle, along Bibile-Namal Oya road of Madulla, northwestern Sri-Lanka. Deputy High Commissioner Vikram Misri made the pledge in response to Sri Lankan Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Senevirate’s appeal, the Daily News reported last Friday (July 3).

The INR26-million project involves the supply of 300 domestic solar units and 50 street lights to the Sri-Lankan villages of Rathugala, Mailegama, and Siripathane. The solar units and lights are being set up for the houses, temples, and streets of the said villages, which are all located in the jungle.

Sri Lanka’s Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) implemented the project for locations that cannot be connected to the main grid by 2016. SEA is reportedly being requested to create a post installation maintenance program for the solar panels since rural communities cannot afford maintenance expenses.

Since 2007’s 14th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit, India has reportedly pledged support to Sri Lanka on the creation of development projects such as solar electrification. Another India-assisted project for Sri-Lanka, the 1,000-megawatt Norochcholai coal-fired power plant, will finish construction this year. The first phase of the project can add 300 megawatts to the national grid, while the second and third phases will be financed by China, the Daily News said.

- Jen Balboa

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Sources:

¹ http://elakiri.ning.com/
² http://www.saarc-sec.org/
³ http://www.infosl.com/doyouknow/wp-content/uploads/SriLanka-Flag.jpg