The Government is taking measures to increase the capacity of renewable energy to meet the country’s requirements to reduce the Rs.400 billion expenditure on the fossil fuels, said Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
He pointed out that the country spends nearly Rs. 400 billion per annum to import fossil fuel needed to generate electricity which is almost half the funds spent to pay the salaries of public sector employees during the year.
Minister Alahapperuma was addressing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Youth Front meeting held at Kamburupitiya on Saturday.
The Minister said in keeping with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election manifesto, the Power Ministry has been tasked with increasing the use of renewable energy in electricity generation. “We were asked to rely on hydro power, solar power and wind power”, he added.
“Nearly 35 per cent of the country’s power generation depends on diesel,” Minister Alahapperuma pointed out.
“It is the responsibility and the duty of politicians to eradicate the root causes of the issues other than eradicating the particular issue,” he further said.
He also said that it was ridiculous for politicians who created a fear psychosis in the country during 88/89 insurgency period to speak of human rights.
