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.