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Ground work for Kotmale begins
By Apsara Kapukotuwa
The Ceylon Electricity Board has started the ground work for the controversial Upper Kotmale hydropower project (UKHP). UKHP Project Director Shavindranath Fernando said preliminary activities necessary for the project has now begun, with the acquiring and purchasing of land for the project.

The project has begun by confining itself to the Kotmale Oya as decided by the Government. "The necessary infrastructure is being put in place - roads, houses - nothing to do with the nature of the project," he said.

The Ceylon Workers Congress, which has in the past continuously opposed the project citing environmental concerns, says it will not oppose the UKHP if it is not tapping the Devon, Puna and Ramboda waterfalls and instead concentrate mainly on the Kotmale oya. However, CWC questioned the status of tenders for the project.

The tender for the project has not yet been awarded to anyone, according to the CEB. The preliminary activities also include the bio-diversity assessment and locations for gauging stations (watershed management plan) being identified. A training programme in this regard is to commence shortly. The resettlement action plan has also been finalized.

When completed, the project, which would have a capacity of 150 megawatts, will add 520 million kilowatt hours annually to the national grid.
The planned reservoir development will resettle an estimated 497 households, a school, a theatre, rest house, urban council offices, workshops, other businesses, kovils, churches and community centres.

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