Performance Report – 2010 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

percent, respectively to16,407 metric tons,520 metric tons and 2,376 metric tons in2010. In view of the above analysis, theproduction of all export agricultural crops hasincreased due to the additional support givenby the government to the export agriculturalsector and favourable weather conditionsprevailing throughout the year 2010.The following are the specific tasksundertaken by the Department in relation tothe Plantation sector;Appraised 06 project proposals andsubmitted observations on 07 CabinetMemoranda in the plantation sector.The Weligama wilt disease which wasspread at an alarming rate in the SouthernProvince had made an adverse impact oncoconut farming at the end of 2009. Thus,contribution was made to reduce thespread of coconut wilt disease in the areaby initiating a project aimed atprevention, controlling, and themanagement of the disease over a periodof three years from 2010. Due to several reasons adverselyaffecting coconut cultivation during thepast years, coconut production has showna declining trend from 2008. In order toincrease coconut production, the NPDwas involved in the initial discussionsand preparation of a Strategic ActionPlan, which is currently in progress, toincrease coconut production from 2,700million nuts to 3.650 million nuts perannum by 2015.Contribution was made to amend the actsof the institutions under the Ministry ofPlantation Industries.The necessary inputs including sectoralprogress were provided to complete thesection related to plantation sector of theAnnual Report 2009 of the Ministry ofFinance and Planning and the MahindaChintana Development PolicyFramework.155Power, Energy & TelecommunicationsSectorAvailability of safe, quality, reliable anduninterrupted power supply is one of theimportant factors for rapid economicdevelopment of the country. Therefore, thegovernment has paid special attention to thissector and has made a significant investmentin it during the last five years.As a result of government attention, theelectrification level in the country hasincreased to 88 percent and there are 3districts namely Colombo, Hambantota andGampaha that have 100 percent coverage. Inaddition, out of 25 districts in the country, theelectrification level of 17 districts is above 75percent.At the end of 2010, the total powergeneration capacity is 2806 MW. Of which1,758 MW has been installed by thegovernment and the rest of 1,048 MW hasbeen installed by the private sector. Thehydro, thermal and renewable have thegeneration capacities of 1207MW, 1385MWand 211MW, respectively.Table 13 Power & Energy Sector TargetsSector 2010 2012 2016 2020Coverage (%) 88 100 100 100Installed 2806 3470 4732 4367capacity (MW)System losses 14.5 14 13 12(%)Renewable3 8 10 20energy (%)Energyconservation(%)1.1 4.3 6.4 8.7The total energy generation was 10,714 Gwhduring 2010 and this is an 8.4 percentincrease in generation compared with 2009.In order to achieve the above targets, thegovernment is paying attention to areas like