Indian pressure works
President approves Sampur power plant
2011-08-28
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked Power and Energy Ministry Secretary M. M.C. Ferdinando to prepare the draft agreement for the Sampur coal power plant. The agreement on establishing the coal power plant is to be signed some time during the first week of next month, reliable sources said.
The President had earlier objected to permitting an Indian company to put up the Sampur coal power plant. The reason for the objection was based on a report handed to him by Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka. Minister Ranawaka had informed the President that it was viable to build a power plant in Sampur that
operates on liquid natural gas (LNG) instead of coal. It is in such a backdrop that the President continuously postponed the building of a coal power plant in Sampur.
However, given the pressure placed by the Indians, the President has agreed to give permission to establish the Sampur power plant.
The President also took steps to remove emergency regulations last week following pressure from India.
In a similar manner, the President is to also approve the signing of the controversial CEPA agreement under a different name.
