The Minister has instructed the officials who are involved in the project following a discussion with them during an observation visit to the proposed site for the plant recently.

After meeting the residents of the area the Minister has requested them to give their maximum support for the project considering it as a national cause.

The Sampur coal power plant is to be built in a 500 acre land in Trincomalee district of the Eastern Province with the financial assistance from India. The thermal power plant to be built at an estimated cost of US$ 600 million will add 500 megawatts to the national grid.

The location of the power plant has been a concern since the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who were displaced in 2006, are yet to be resettled in Sampur.

Minister Siyambalapitiya also said that relevant public institutions, environmental organizations, residents and all other parties have extended their support and approval for the project.