Jan 26, Kothmale: A protest launched by a group of workers of sub-contractors of the Upper Kothmale Hydropower Project Thursday disrupted the opening of the sluice gates of the reservoir.

The opening of the reservoir's sluice gates for the first time was scheduled for 9 a.m. today. The gates were reportedly opened later.

The protesters were demanding a salary hike among other issues. Reportedly, the police anti-riot squad was called in to bring the situation under control.

The sluice gates of the 65-acre reservoir that has a capacity of 800,000 cubic meters will release water at a rate of 80 cubic meters per second to a 3-kilometer tunnel which carries water to the generators.

The assistant director of the Disaster Management Centre in Nuwara Eliya warned the people using the Kotmale Oya to be on alert as this is the first time the gates of the reservoir will be opened to empty the water in the reservoir.

When completed the run of river hydropower project with an installed capacity of 150MW consisting of two 75MW units, will produce 409GWh per year.

The project located in the Nuwara Eliya district is to be declared open on 27th March at a special ceremony presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.