July 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Dr. Sarath Amunugama said that the construction of Sri Lanka’s first coal power plant in Norochcholai in the Northwestern Province will be commenced in the coming few weeks.

The Minister said that China released US $ 68 million as per the agreements for the first phase of the project and the construction will be commenced in the beginning of the August. The engineers, technical officers and the machinery are to arrive in Sri Lanka soon.

Eighty families who were displaced due to the takeover of land for the construction site have already been settled in alternative places.

Exim Bank of China has agreed to grant US $ 455 million to the project.