To cope with the rising demand for energy in its fast developing Eastern province, the Sri Lankan government has decided to proceed with constructing a thermal power plant at Sampoor in Trincomalee district of the Eastern province. The Sri Lankan cabinet of ministers has also decided to recognise the 2×250 MW capacity coal power project as a Strategic Development Project. The joint venture partners for the project are the Ceylon Electricity Board and the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd of India with an investment of USD 500 million.
Despite concerns raised by some power sector commentators and experts, the government had decided to proceed with the plant and last September completed negotiations with the National Thermal Power Corporation of India. Construction is to begin this year with power generation scheduled to be linked to the national grid in 2017.
