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The protesters holding their banner |
Kalpitiya residents protest
coal power plant
By Hiran Priyankara
About 1500 people - Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil -
demonstrated against the construction of the Norochcholai coal power
plant complex shouting slogans on the streets of Kalpitiya town
last Friday after noon prayers at the mosque.
They were protesting at the State attitude of not
heeding the protests of the people opposed to the construction of
the complex with the protestors claiming they had the support of
the Buddhist monks, Christian priests and Muslim moulavis. The protest
however was peaceful and ended with a rally. Several movements such
as the Kalpitiya people’s voice, the national fisheries societies
and the human resources and environmental association took part
in the protest campaign.
Addressing the rally, Rev. Fr. Wyman Anton Croos
recalled that the President had given an undertaking before the
general election that the proposed plant would not be constructed.
He said Mr. Rajapaksa had assured the Bishop of Chilaw too that
it would not be allowed and added that the present stance is a turnaround
from what he said.
He said not only the people of Norochcholai but
those in the Kalpitiya region protest against the project. Mr. Linus
Jayatilleke also addressed the gathering.
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