Annual Report 2008 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

2. Fiscal Developments - 2008
114
Ports
Construction of several mega infrastructure projects
was carried out in 2008. The contract of South Harbour
project was signed and the construction of the breakwater
was started in April 2008. The construction work on the
Hambantota Port Project with Chinese aid continued with
the completion of nearly 200 meters of the west breakwater
and part of the coffer dam.
Preliminary work of the Oluvil Harbour with Danish funds
has been started while assessment study and environmental
monitoring plan of the Galle Port has been completed. The
Governments success in mobilization of necessary funds for
major projects through foreign assistance is a noteworthy
achievement in the port sector development.
of new railway stations at Aselapura, Wanduradhimulla,
Riditenna and Ganthalawa, improvement of signal systems
and strengthening of the tracks by sleepering and ballasting.
Two diesel engines, 100 new compartments and 15 diesel
multiple units were added to strengthen the service capacity
of the Sri Lanka Railways.
Mega Projects Capable of Addressing Power and Energy
The power and energy sector development initiatives
gathered momentum in 2008 with Kerawalapitiya Combined
Cycle Power Plant been commissioned in November 2008,
providing 150 MW to the national grid. The other major
power projects such as Norochcholai Coal Power Plant
funded by China, the second phase of the Kerawalapitiya
power project and the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project
accelerated its construction. Total investment in the energy
sector was Rs. 23 billion in 2008 compared to the Rs. 21
billion in 2007.
Number of transmission development and improvements were
also carried out in 2008. The projects included Kerawalapitiya
- Kotugoda Transmission Line, New Galle Transmission Line,
Killinochchi-Chunnakam Transmission Line, Trincomalee-
Veyangoda Transmission Line and lighting Sri Lanka -
Hambantota transmission Development Project.
Table 2.34
Rural Electrification Schemes Completed in 2008
Hambantotoa Port Development Project
Improved Public Transport Facilities
Expansion of public transport system continued in 2008 with
the government investing Rs. 13.2 billion. A set of 218 new
buses were added to the existing fleet to meet the demand
for passenger transport and to provide a reliable bus service.
Further, 183 buses were made road worthy by replacing
necessary engines and other spare parts.
In order to improve the railway network, work on double
tracking of the Kalutara South beach line and the Puttlam
line upto Ja-Ela was completed, while railway line bridges
at Kalutara and Nilvala bridge were constructed. Funds were
also channeled for upgrading of railway lines, construction
Area
Number of Schemes
completed
Southern 936
North Central 589
Central 1,164
Uva 150
West-South 324
West-North 177
Eastern 414
Sabaragamuwa 583
North Western 629
Northern 31
Total 1,997
Source: Ministry of Power and Energy.
Ministry of Finance and Planning Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2008