A little known fact about this project and some of the real forces behind getting this project completed simply begs to be told.
The project started with a chat between the then Ambassador of Iran to Sri Lanka and his friend, a Sri Lankan who has a reputation for being an honest person well known for his integrity.
The Minister in charge was the eldest Rajapaksa, CHAMAL.
The Ambassador assured that the project would be an Iranian funded one with the proviso that Sri Lanka would need a down payment of 15% of project value.
The govt duly paid US77 million and the project got going. Iran disbursed USD 50 million. We were on!
Disaster for Sri Lanka! The USA imposed sanctions against Iran and that meant they were unable to fulfill their obligations.
Delays and considerations given to dropping the project but the Minister was made to understand – and importantly, understood – the immense long term benefits to Sri Lanka’s energy bill.
Over the years and ignoring this project but spending near-obscene sums on “emergency” power and so on, the changes in government cost the power bill dearly. A Project Director who only wanted to carry the title added to the frustration of contractors.
Several issues of relocating residential areas, caused much negativity and painful progress was made.
However the project carried on using funds from the Irrigation budget and the Treasury – driven by Chamal returning to Cabinet.
Several moments of frustration was experienced by the Minister when he felt that the Presidential Secretary was playing hardball.
It is a testament to the tenacity of Chamal Rajapaksa and the countless but relentless requests for funds from Treasury ( remember Iran and sanctions ) that this project came to fruition.
Only on the power generation side – deep inside a mountain in what can be aptly described as an engineering marvel including sealing the water ingress issues – a saving to our power bill is passing most people by.
The saving is Rs 80 million each and every day.
Says my source, “Around Rs 80 Million worth of money needs to be spent daily by the CEB if we use fuel, instead of Uma Oya’s 120MW of Electricity during peak hours.”
So by using this project the CEB saves Rs 80 million every day.
Super proud of this project largely funded by our own money.
Now there’s something to say cheers about!
