Hambantota as eco-friendly district
Ridma Dissanayake and Tissamaharama Special Correspondent Raja Waidyasekara
All measures are in place to develop Hambantota as an eco-friendly district. The first Information Technology park in Sri Lanka is to be set up in Hambantota district and construction is to begin before the end of this year,said Hambanthota district Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa.
"The largest industrial park in Sri Lanka is also to be established in Hambantota district and construction activities of the first three factories are to begin next month," he added.
MP Rajapaksa disclosed this while participating at the inauguration ceremony of the first solar power plant in Sri Lanka, recently.
The first solar power plant in Sri Lanka was established in Hambantota and it had been set up by the Power and Energy Ministry in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA). This is a large- scale solar power plant and is connected to the national grid with a capacity of 500kw.
According to MP Namal Rajapaksa the first aviation training school in Sri Lanka is to be established in Hambantota and the Mattala airport is also to be opened in the near future.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/08/10/news21.asp
Solar park to ensure H’tota environment friendly
By Ifham Nizam
Despite a number of mega development projects coming up in the Hambantota District, the scenic beauty of the area and environment will not be disturbed, Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa says.
Speaking at the inauguration of the first solar power plant park in Buruthakanda, Hambantota on Monday, Rajapaksa welcomed the initiative to set up the much needed plant that would supply electricity to the area without polluting the environment with carbon emissions.
He said that power is a crucial sector when Hambantota District is gearing to become the Economic centre in South Asia. To have an international harbour, international airport and Sri Lanka’s first Information Technology village, the power sector plays a key role.
He also said that the Hambantota District will soon have the Civil Aviation College.
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said Buruthakanda Solar Park will be the first and only commercial-scale solar power station in the country.
The Minister said the Government hoped to contribute 20 per cent of the country’s power through renewable energy sources by 2020.
According to the Sustainable Energy Authority, the first stage of the project will be financed by the Japanese Government while the Korean Government will finance the second stage.
The SEA says Japan has already provided Rs. 1,024 million for the first stage under which 737 KW of power will be added to the national grid upon completion. Work relating to the construction of the first stage is expected to be completed by August next year.
The second stage of the power garden which will open in April will add 500 KW of power to the national grid. Solar panels are now fixed in an area of over two acres in Hambantota.
The park, when completed, would add 1.2 megawatts to the national grid. The total investment on this project by both Korea and Japan is US$ 13.4 million with the Japanese Government investing US$ 8.9 million.
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