Lanka: BP Solar gets rural power project contract

Colombo: Sri Lanka has awarded a contract for rural solar electrification to Australia's BP Solar, a senior government minister said. The scheme will see 450 village schools, 450 staff quarters for teachers, 450 solar water pumps and 150 village health clinics getting solar power electricity, information minister Anura Yapa said.

The contract which has a discounted value of 18.7 million US dollars (2.0 billion rupees) is being financed with a credit from Export Finance and Insurance Corporation of Australia.

The project is implemented by the ministry of local government and provincial councils as part of an effort to upgrade educational and health infrastructure in rural Sri Lanka.

The local government ministry said in a note to cabinet that the contract to BP Solar (Pty) Ltd of Sydney was recommended by a cabinet appointed negotiation committee.