Lanka again asks India to shift Sampur power plant location: Report

Sri Lanka has reportedly asked India to change the location of a stalled US$500 million power project to be built by NTPC Ltd. This is the second time that Sri Lanka has made the request for change of location for this project. The first was in 2007. Any change in the project’s location will require new studies to be conducted at the fresh site, potentially delaying the project by another two to three years, according to a financial newspaper. Sri Lanka has requested India to move the proposed NTPC project from Sampur in Trincomalee to Foul Point area in the same district, which falls on the eastern side of the island nation. The request was made by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on his maiden overseas visit to India after taking charge in August. In 2007, NTPC had moved the project site from the south of Trincomalee to the north. The power project is to be set up in a joint venture with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). NTPC signed an agreement with CEB and the Sri Lankan government in December 2006 and the project was initially expected to be commissioned and start generating power in 2011. (India Infoline News Service )