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The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the governments of Sri Lanka and India on Friday for the construction of second coal fired power plant in Sampur amidst protests by the people in the area. The people from Sampur, mostly the Tamils who are now refugees living elsewhere are worried about the adverse impact the proposed plant will pose onto their livelihood. They say the coal power plant will destroy agriculture in the region, their livestock and also create an unhealthy environment. “We have been forced flee our lands and to shelter in refugees camps because of the war. Now there is a fear of losing our lands because of the power plant”, some refugees from Sampur said. They said they will continue to protest against the proposed coal power project like people in Puttlam against the Norochcholai coal fired power plant. The 1,000 MW capacity project cost 500 million US dollars out of which 350 million will be funded by the Indian Government. Rest 150 million dollars will be borne jointly by the National Thermal Power Company of India, and the CEB. The project is expected to be completed by 2010. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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India's frustration with Sri Lanka over Tamils