The Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai.

These instructions were issued at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on 17 March under the chairmanship of Hector Appuhamy.

It was revealed during the meeting that due to issues related to the quality of coal imported for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation has increased significantly. The Committee noted that if this ash is not properly disposed of, there is a risk of future environmental damage.

Officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District to take the necessary measures.

It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the removed ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilised for welfare projects benefiting communities affected by the Power Plant.

In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Plant.

Meanwhile, officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the Plant has increased, the filtration system in use at the Plant is sufficient to absorb these particles.