The 5 MW “Diyajanani” Floating Solar Power Plant, located on the Ibbankatuwa Tank in Dambulla, was officially connected to the National Grid this afternoon (18) with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote electricity generation through renewable energy sources.
Spanning 10.5 acres, the solar facility is expected to produce enough electricity annually to power around 7,500 homes. It will also contribute to a reduction of approximately 6,440 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, alongside saving around 2.5 million liters of diesel that would typically be used for electricity generation. This change is projected to save the country around USD 3 million in foreign exchange annually.
A standout aspect of this project, undertaken by Diyajanani (Pvt) Ltd, is that it was executed entirely by local engineers and technicians. During its construction, about 150 local residents benefited from employment opportunities.
Submit Your Press Release
Get your company news, announcements, launches, appointments and events in front of a wider audience.
After the unveiling of a commemorative plaque signifying the plant’s connection to the National Grid, President Dissanayake toured the control room to observe the facility’s operations.
In addition to the solar project, several community welfare initiatives were introduced, with the President actively participating in these efforts. A generator and a financial contribution of Rs. 800,000 were provided to the Sri Vivekarama Temple to support the construction of its Dhamma Hall. Additionally, Rs. 2,000,000 was allocated to the local fishing community for the development of mud ponds and procurement of fishing gear. Another Rs. 1,000,000 was designated for the creation of a green park as part of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Furthermore, Rs. 800,000 was provided to ensure that all students at Anakatava Primary School received necessary educational supplies, while Rs. 400,000 was allocated for the Weera Mohan Jayamaha School and a related water project. Various other community support activities were also undertaken.
In attendance at the event were Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, MP Kumara Jayakody, and other local officials. Also present were Russel Aponsu, the Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, along with officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. Representatives from the Ceylon Electricity Board’s successor companies, including WindForce PLC Managing Director Manjula Perera, were also in attendance.
Source: Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
