Guessing Game

The head of government's Strategic Enterprises Management Authority (SEMA) says proposals to build two coal power plants would be accepted to overcome energy crisis as key unions opposed donor-backed reforms.





The head of government's Strategic Enterprises Management Authority (SEMA) says proposals to build two coal power plants would be accepted to overcome energy crisis as key unions opposed donor-backed reforms. Head of government agency that overlooks strategic enterprises Mano Tittawella says the National Thermal Power Corporation of India (NTPCI) and the Chinese government are expected to submit proposals to build coal fired power plants.

One of the base load plants is likely to be built near Puttalam while a location for the second one remains open but will have to be in a coastal area.

A final decision is expected soon.

"We have asked for two proposals - one from India and the other from China and probably during the next few days we will receive them.

We might be able to do both," says Mano Tittawella, Chairman, SEMA.

However, Ceylon Electricity Board trade unions, which support setting up of coal plants, renewed a threat to strike unless government agreed to a watered down set of r