Protest against Norochcholai coal power project

Strong opposition has been mounted in protest against the moves to evict residents where the proposed Norochcholai coal power plant is to be set up. Lenus Jayathilake of the Ceylon Independent Workers Union said that cheaper sources of energy should be trapped from elsewhere, at a meeting convened by the Alliance for Protection of Natural Resources and Human Rights in Colombo.

Rt. Rev. Frank Marcus Fernando noted that social problems of accommodating 4,000 workers during the period of construction would also have an impact on the residents.

The sanctity of the shrine of St. Anne's situated in close proximity at Thalavila needs to be preserved, he said. He said that the 15,000 litres of hot water released per day will have a considerable impact on marine life and consequently fisheries. Fisheries and agriculture are the main occupations of Norochcholai residents.

Mr. Mubarak a resident in Norochcholai pointed out the environment concerns. The 900 MW plant will burn 2640 metric tons of coal a day at 110 MT per hour, he said.

This massive amount of coal would generate 290 MT of ash out of which 232 MT would be released into the environment as 'fly ash'.

He pointed out that the indirect environmental and social impact bring far more adverse conditions - such as removal of sand dunes that screen arable land from gale and salinity during the monsoons, which will result in the destruction of cultivable land.
