PR 20

The Power and Energy Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. W.D.J. Seneviratne and the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Vikram Misri, jointly inaugurated a Solar Energy Electrification Project at Galgamuwa village in Monaragala district of Uva Province on 30th June 2009. The project, which is worth approximately SLR 13 million, is a gift from the Government of India to Sri Lanka and follows an understanding reached at the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi in April 2007 for cooperation in a number of areas of basic needs.

The Galgamuwa Project provides sloar lighting for 300 households and 50 street lights. Among the beneficiary households are 70 houses belonging to the indigenous Veddah community of Sri Lanka. It is understood that it is the first time in history that this community has had access to electricity. The Project also powers a small drip irrigation scheme. As a result of the Project, the village and its surrounding areas have well-lit homes and public places like government dispensaries, places of worship and schools. An impact evaluation study carried out by the Department of Geography of the University of Sri Jayawardanapura has revealed that the attitude towards education and reading habits amongst school children has significantly changed for the better following the provision of lighting in Galgamuwa.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Power and Energy thanked the Government of India for the gift of the Project. The Deputy High Commissioner of India reiterated the continued commitment of the Government of India to further strengthening the relationship between India and Sri Lanka in all areas, including development cooperation.

Colombo