Pavithra tries to fit a mouse in an elephant’s shoe
Pavithra tries to fit a mouse in an elephant’s shoe
By Mario Andree- January 30, 2014
Minister of Power and Energy, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, yesterday morning tried to fit a mouse in an elephant’s shoe, by comparing Sri Lanka to China. According to her, the contrivances on the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) were unnecessary attempts to create national issues.
Assuring uninterrupted electricity distribution, she told State media, Rupavahini, that the media was trying to create unnecessary issues on the breakdowns at the Norochcholai Plant, and that these were not matters of concern.
Claiming that the government was trying to provide electricity at affordable rates to the public, she said there were instances of such breakdowns even in advanced economies that depend on coal power.
According to her, as Sri Lanka had only one major coal power plant, the media and the public were creating unnecessary hype. If there were many plants across the country, such incidents would not be highlighted, she opined.
Pointing at an incident which according to her was a major issue, she said, “If a dog crosses the road on the expressway, the media would make a big noise about it; however, if there were several expressways, such news will not even be considered for publication.”
She partly blamed China for the breakdown at Norochcholai, and said that China has taken the responsibility and has started investigations of how such breakdowns take place. The Sri Lanka Government too has sought help from neighbouring India, who has sent a group of experts to provide assistance.
She also said Sri Lanka generated less than 3,500MW out of which less than 12% was coal power, while 70% of China’s 99,000MW were coal generated.
“No one takes an interest, if one coal power plant in China breaks down as there are a large number of coal power plants in that country. However, in Sri Lanka, there was only one, which has attracted unnecessary contrivances,” she said.
According to Wanniarchchi, it was not that the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant could not be operated; it has been halted to rectify issues.
Ceylon Today reported last Sunday (26) that the first phase of the Norachcholai Coal Power Plant, which cost US$ 555 million, has already broken down a record 27 times since it was commissioned four years ago. The first phase is currently out of commission and the CEB engineers have been trying for weeks to resume operations.
Trials of the Second Phase which began last Friday (24) also crashed on Saturday (25).
Pavithra tries to fit a mouse in an elephant’s shoe
By Mario Andree- January 30, 2014 Minister of Power and Energy, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, yesterday morning tried to fit a mouse in an elephant’s shoe, by comparing Sri Lanka to China. According to her, the contrivances on the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) were unnecessary attempts to create national issues.Assuring uninterrupted electricity distribution, she told State media, Rupavahini, that the media was trying to create unnecessary issues on the breakdowns at the Norochcholai Plant, and that these were not matters of concern.
Claiming that the government was trying to provide electricity at affordable rates to the public, she said there were instances of such breakdowns even in advanced economies that depend on coal power.
According to her, as Sri Lanka had only one major coal power plant, the media and the public were creating unnecessary hype. If there were many plants across the country, such incidents would not be highlighted, she opined.
Pointing at an incident which according to her was a major issue, she said, “If a dog crosses the road on the expressway, the media would make a big noise about it; however, if there were several expressways, such news will not even be considered for publication.”
She partly blamed China for the breakdown at Norochcholai, and said that China has taken the responsibility and has started investigations of how such breakdowns take place. The Sri Lanka Government too has sought help from neighbouring India, who has sent a group of experts to provide assistance.
She also said Sri Lanka generated less than 3,500MW out of which less than 12% was coal power, while 70% of China’s 99,000MW were coal generated.
“No one takes an interest, if one coal power plant in China breaks down as there are a large number of coal power plants in that country. However, in Sri Lanka, there was only one, which has attracted unnecessary contrivances,” she said.
According to Wanniarchchi, it was not that the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant could not be operated; it has been halted to rectify issues.
Ceylon Today reported last Sunday (26) that the first phase of the Norachcholai Coal Power Plant, which cost US$ 555 million, has already broken down a record 27 times since it was commissioned four years ago. The first phase is currently out of commission and the CEB engineers have been trying for weeks to resume operations.
Trials of the Second Phase which began last Friday (24) also crashed on Saturday (25).
