Letters to the Editor

 

Upper Kotmale: water and cost factor
CEB Energy Consultant Tilak Siyambalapitiya claims that the cost of non-implementation of the Upper Kotmale project is around Rs 12 million a day.

If Mr. Siyambalapitiya is referring to the fuel cost of generating thermal energy as against hydropower generation, the calculation of the financial cost will have to be made on a net basis. Without additional information, it is not possible to say whether Mr. Siyambalapitiya is correct or incorrect. Engineer D.P Chandrasinghe has also estimated the cost of non-implementation of the project as Rs 15.5 per KWh. This estimate is certainly incorrect since this contains double counting.

The purpose of this brief note is not to deal with the financial cost of non-implementation, but the economic costs of implementation of the project. As an economist, I believe at this stage that the project needs careful and comprehensive analysis, covering both direct and indirect costs and benefits.

Most economists do not give much consideration to environmental implications of projects of this nature due to the over- emphasis on benefits. However, I believe that environmental implications of hydropower projects are not confined only to their immediate environment, but have much wider implications than we know at present.

Sri Lanka does not have large rivers. All the country's rivers originate from a single region, i.e., the hill country. The main source of water comes from springs in the hilly region, which is supplemented by seasonal rain in the catchments.

Since rivers are not very large, they carry a limited amount of water. We have observed that during the last few years all our major rivers dry up quickly after the rainy season is over. It appears that insufficient water in the rivers is the main cause of the problem. Since dams store water, the flow of the rivers is significantly reduced and the volume of water that flows in the rivers is not sufficient to replenish the underground water as well.

Sand mining of rivers and streams has compounded the problem of water scarcity. Another feature that we observe is that the country does not face severe floods even during rainy seasons as in the past.

Although Sri Lanka's population growth has declined almost to the replacement level, the country will have at least another five million before its population reaches stability. This means that the country's food supply must increase by at least 20 to 25 percent to meet minimum food security levels. To increase the food supply, the country needs a considerable amount of additional irrigation water.

The Upper Kotmale project only provides about 90 MW at the initial stage which may provide about 200 GWh of electricity - about 2 percent of the current supply from thermal and hydropower or about 8 percent of hydropower. Even if this project is implemented, the country is going to face a serious power shortage without a substantial increase in the supply in the next few years.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya also claims that thermal power results in the emission of between 3 to 6 tons of pollutant material to the environment. This is true and that is what the country pays for economic development. Countries where thermal power is used enforce strict standards to control such pollution. Although such standards also exist in Sri Lanka, they remain only on paper.

I am not suggesting that the Upper Kotmale project should be abandoned. My concern is that the decision to implement the project should not be based solely on financial benefits; it should also take into account the overall economic costs and benefits.

The government has so far not carried out a comprehensive study on the effects of hydropower schemes on the downstream water supply and underground water. There is a clear relationship between poverty and the availability of water for cultivation in rural areas. If the project is likely to aggravate the water scarcity for agricultural activities, the financial cost of non-implementation alone may be irrelevant to make a correct policy decision.
D.N.R. Samaranayaka
Via e-mail

Go for witness and rap on the bar table
With reference to the letter 'Those yelling, glaring lawyers' (July 28), we need to focus on two matters pertaining to our courts of law.

Firstly, laws' delays are a nuisance. What is expected of the witness under oath is to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Yet, much depends on the witness' recollection of the incident. Any civic-minded citizen, who gets into the witness box is made, by some lawyers, to perspire under his collar and falter when memory, after a long lapse of time, fails on some aspects. Moreover, in a murder case a witness may possibly receive a jail term for perjury!

Secondly, a person who volunteers to give evidence is the most important person in the courtroom. Yet, some lawyers usually attempt to browbeat him with questions seemingly unimportant.

The experienced lawyer tries to find an opportune time to subject the witness to astute cross-examination. "Be precise with an yes or no," he demands and raps on the bar table in visible indignation.

This act is well orchestrated in the well of the court to discredit the witness.

A professor of law had briefed his alumni: "If the facts are on your side, throw them at the jury; if the law is on your side put it to the judge. But if there is neither go for the witness head-on and rap at the table furiously."
Stanley Geevaratne
Dehiwela

Parliament shows: adults only
The deterioration in parliamentary discipline started on the day undesirables were brought into Parliament.

When PA and UNF MPs behave in this unruly manner, JVP members, who have emerged from a terrorist organization with no parliamentary experience, will never learn to behave in Parliament.

Parliament should be out of bounds to schoolchildren as it sets a bad example and parliamentary proceedings should be telecast after 9 p.m. for adults only.
P.A. Binduhewa
Panadura

Exploited in the name of education
Parents, children, government resources, one and all are being exploited in the name of education. How? You only have to look around at the inferior paper used in exercise books, drawing books, brown paper (for book covers), pens that don't write, cheap pencils with points which break soon, erasers that crumble, inferior crayons, coloured chalk and cheap paints to get the answer.

It's the same story with textbooks held together by small staples which come apart in a few weeks, though schoolchildren have to use them for a full year. School bags too, burst at the seams and cheap shoes from foreign factories, open up like crocodiles, when our own Sri Lankan factories give us more durable shoes.

Meanwhile, the canteens are run at a 100 percent profit, serving children non-nutritious food, fried this, that and the other or fizzy, unhealthy drinks. Why can't they have wholesome green gram, cowpea, sweet potatoes, manioc, kola kenda and milk products?

If we do things according to our conscience, we will produce a healthier and stronger younger generation.
Pearline L. Withana
Bambalapitiya

Weapons wielding rights champions
Those who shout the loudest about human rights are nations which flood the world market with weapons of mass destruction. If they close down their arms factories, it will go a long way towards protecting human rights and eradicating terrorism. All conflicts will come to a halt.

Two of the most lucrative businesses in the world are arms and drugs. Both threaten human existence. The arms producer is as bad as a drug dealer. A drug dealer brings slow death to society while an arms producer brings instant death.

Of what use are words of concern over human rights while producing instruments of mass destruction? If world powers are serious about a 'new world order' this is what they should deal with first.
S.H. Moulana
Colombo 6

The answer we all know
The people are faced with the crucial question of which country in the world is living off borrowings but providing ruling politicians with luxury armoured vehicles for domestic use and unlimited freedom, time and funds for globe-trotting. I think all of us know the answer.
V. Goonetilleke
Polgasovita

Northern Tamils get Sinhala letters
It is unfortunate that even at a time when the country is attempting to find ways and means of ending the ethnic crisis, some government institutions continue to work only in Sinhala with the Tamil speaking people in the north.

When a letter is received in Sinhala, the recipient has to seek out a translator. There are only a few persons in the Northern Province at present who can effectively assist in the matter. This is very frustrating.

The use of Tamil in correspondence with the people in the north and the east is an administrative matter and if implemented properly, would boost peace efforts and also remove an irritant.

The state should see to it that the administrative staff strictly adhere to this policy. The constitution may be amended to introduce progressive measures aimed at communal harmony but if such changes are not implemented to the letter and in the right spirit, the desired benefit would not come about.
M. Thambipillai
Point Pedro

What a shame!
Oh !what a ghori ! What a to-do inside the House !
The cat being away - 'twas playtime for many a mouse !
Mouse? That's being too kind, rat should fit bill!
Of 'fist-stick-ups' And 'hoisted sarongs' - school kids had their fill!
And just when Choksy stood up to speak ! Oh My !
There erupts the most unruly uddi puddi in the aisle.
Such shocking behaviour! I say ! Punish those rowdy people.
Send them packing, to their electorates ! To do some solid work!
Dear Mr. Prime Minister, dear Madam President, please see that these hooligans are meted out some punishment.
We want no more tomfoolery. We refuse to be governed by such people
Get rid of the rot before it starts to stink, or you'll have honest citizens taking to the street.
Janine
Nugegoda


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