Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of corruption concerning the recently approved Solar Power Project in Killinochchi.
Issuing a special statement, MP Premadasa alleged that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an Australia-based firm – United Solar Energy raises doubts as the company engages in solar panel distribution and not Battery Storage projects.
Noting that the capacity of the largest solar energy farm in Australia is 400Mw, while the capacity of the planned solar farm is 700Mw, the Opposition leader questions how a company with lack of expertise can handle such a project.
Mr. Premadasa also states that according to estimates, the project requires a surface area of 782 acres while the project lifetime is stated as 35 years despite the lifetime of a solar panel is 25 years.
Noting that United Solar Energy is founded and chaired by Richard Vargas who is a solar panel agent and distributor, the opposition leader says that a one Sujeewa Nishantha from Hambantota is working as the company accountant. In addition, Board members Kero Thilakarathne, Alex Chandrasiri and Shan Balasuriya are working as a real estate agent, a hotel food & beverage manager and a website designer respectively, Mr. Premadasa adds, questioning whether such people are capable of undertaking such a mammoth project.
MP Premadasa’s allegations come after the Cabinet this week approved to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with United Solar Group of Australia for the 700 MW Solar Power Project with a 1500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera announced the decision on X earlier this week.
He further said that the Solar Power Project will be established with a Foreign Direct Investment of USD 1,727 million and the power project will be installed on the surface of the Poonakary Tank in the Kilinochchi District in the Northern province of Sri Lanka.
A suspect who opened fire at the Christ Church near Manampitiya Ayurveda Place has been arrested by the Police.
The shooting occurred around 7:00 pm yesterdat (April 18.)
The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of Main Road, Manampitiya, had fled the scene after firing a shot that damaged a church window.
According to police investigations, the gunman approached the church gate, appeared to survey the area, then returned to the road and fired before fleeing.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.Following a tip-off, officers from the Manampitiya Police Station apprehended the suspect and seized the locally-made firearm used in the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute with the church’s pastor. Further investigations are underway.
The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night today (April 19).
The department noted that fairly heavy falls of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.
Showers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning.
