Before Diwali, India gave such a gift that Sri Lanka's temples and mosques would shine.
Under the energy partnership between the Government of India and Sri Lanka, rooftop solar systems were handed over to several religious places in Sri Lanka on Monday. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has given this information.
Officials from the Indian High Commission, Ceylon Electricity Board, and Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka handed over solar panels and other equipment to various religious places in Sri Lanka.
Solar panels handed over to temple-mosque
Under the Government of India's $17 million (Rs 143 crore) project, these solar panels have been handed over to religious places of various religions in Sri Lanka such as the Buddhist Temple at Hokandara, Sri Anjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony's Church and Mutawal Juma Masjid.
Under this project of the Modi government, a target has been set to install 25 megawatt solar rooftop systems in about 5 thousand religious places across Sri Lanka. This project, spread across all 9 states and 25 districts of Sri Lanka, has been designed with the aim of moving towards renewable energy and reducing energy expenses.
Reduction in energy expenditure of religious places
This scheme of the Indian government will supply 37 million units of electricity annually to Sri Lanka and will be a significant contribution to Sri Lanka's 'people-centric energy transition'. According to the Indian High Commission, this project will reduce the energy expenditure of these religious places, as well as help strengthen Sri Lanka's clean energy transition. This project is expected to be completed by next year.
5 years of maintenance is also included in the project
Apart from the supply and installation of the solar system, the project also includes maintenance for 5 years to ensure its long-term effectiveness. This effort by India is linked to the country's 'Neighborhood First Policy', under which the Indian government gives priority to Sri Lanka for cooperation.
Apart from this, other renewable projects include solar electrification in about 9 thousand Buddhist temples and prevent, for which assistance of about 10 million dollars (84 crores rupees) is being given. Apart from this, LNG supply and infrastructure development, as well as the solar power plant in Sampur, is also one of the big projects of India.