The construction work was carried out by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) while the funding was provided on a long term low interest rate by the EXIM Bank of the Republic of China. As local investment the Sri Lankan Government has invested Rs. 5.3 billion for the first stage and Rs. 11 billion for the second stage of construction.
The Lakvijaya coal power plant was built in two phases. President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the first 300MW Unit of the Sri Lanka's first ever coal power plant "Lakvijaya" on 22 March 2011 and the phase II with capacity of 2X300 MW will be commissioned on September 16. With the completion of the second phase the plant will add a total of 900 MW to the grid. (ST/KH)