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Protest against Upper Kotmale power project

From P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

A protest urging the Government to stop the proposed Upper Kotmale Project was held at the Dravida Maha Vidyalaya, Talawakelle on Sunday afternoon.

The hydropower plant proposed under the Upper Kotmale Power Project will destroy the upcountry environment and drag the entire country to an era of darkness, said Most. Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayaka Thera, Chief Prelate of Malwatte Chapter.

Delivering an anusasana at the mammoth rally organised by the Ceylon Workers' Congress under the patronage of Housing and Plantation Infrastructure Minister Arumugan Thondaman, the Ven. Mahanayaka Thera said that as a result of the Victoria Power Project, against which he protested from the very outset, a large number of families were rendered homeless.

The Victoria reservoir itself is drying up. The people must resent the joint attempt by the Government and the CEB to go ahead with the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project, he said. The Mahanayake Thera said the Government should reconsider the proposed Upper Kotmale Project in view of the environmental hazards and the impending dangers.

Thondaman appreciating the Mahanayake Thera's participation in the rally, requested him to convince politicians about the project's environmental ill effects. Ven. Vipassi Mahanayake Thera also visited the Devon falls which will be affected by the Upper Kotmale Power Project.

Thondaman said it was tragic that some elements try to impart a communal twist whenever an important national issue is raised by the minorities. His organisation was totally against the Upper Kotmale Oya project because of its environmental hazards. Thondaman said he has taken up this matter with the Government.

Thondaman thanked the clergy for listening to the hill country people. All communities have joined hands in protesting the Upper Kotmale project.

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