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The Power and Energy Ministry has already completed 12 electricity projects in Kilinochchi district with two major projects at a cost of Rs.86 million under the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" program to provide electricity to the Northern province. Providing electricity to the North has been identified by the Government as a priority. The intention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to provide all benefits of development enjoyed by the people in the South to the people in the North as well, Deputy Power and Energy Minister Premalal Jayasekera told the Sunday Observer.

Under the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" electricity development program, the Ministry has already completed the installation of transmission lines from the 225 Km post to the 249 Km post a distance of 24 Km in the A-9 road. In addition, a 33Kv transmission line has been fixed within a 6 Km distance at Murukkandi area on the A-9 road. A sum of Rs.24 million has been spent to instal these he said.

According to the Deputy Minister the Ministry has completed the installation of street lights in Pooneryn, Kilinochchi and Murukkandi. The Ministry has also been able to complete the first and second stages of Vigneshwaram School electricity project and the Iranamadu electricity project. The Jayanthi Nagar and Malayalapuram electricity projects completed by the ministry at a cost of Rs.17.8 million were vested in the public by Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa on June 17.

These two electricity projects provide electricity to 225 families and business places. It was a significant victory achieved by employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board who made a tremendous effort to complete these two projects within just one month, he said. The Ministry is scheduled to commence 23 electricity projects shortly. The Kilinochchi Provincial Education Office electricity project and the first and second stages of Aratiyar Nagar electricity scheme will be completed very soon, he added.

@ Sunday Observer: by Uditha KUMARASINGHE