Download - DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA...DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD SUSTAINABLE POWER SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ... 6.1 Grid Substations

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA

CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD

SUSTAINABLE POWER SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

SUB PROJECT – 03 Improvement of Transmission System Reliability

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PREPARED FOR ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ENVIRONMENT UNIT CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD COLOMBO SRI LANAKA

March 2008

Abbreviations

ADB - Asian Development Bank BoI - Board of Investment CDM - Clean Development Mechanism CEA - Central Environmental Authority CEB - Ceylon Electricity Board db(A) - A-Weighted sound measurement in decibels DS - Divisional Secretary EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EPL - Environmental Protection License GIS - Gas Insulated Substation GN - Grama Niladhari GS - Grid Substation IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission IEE - Initial Environmental Examination IPP - Independent Power Producer JICA - Japan International Co-operation Agency km - kilometer kV - kilovolt m - meter MOH - Medical Officer of Health MVA - Megavolt Ampere MW - Megawatt NEA - National Environment Act PSS/e - Power System Simulation REA - Rapid Environmental Assessment ROW - Right of Way

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) 8

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUB-PROJECT 8 2.1 Scope and Outcome of the Sub-project 8

2.1.1 Summary Scope 8 2.2 Detailed Scope 10

2.2.1 First Priority Scope 10 2.3 Project Description 13

2.3.1 GSs to be Augmented 13 2.3.2 New Grid Substations 19 2.3.3 New Transmission Lines 20

2.4 Type of Project and the Category 26 2.5 Need for the Project 26

2.5.1 Policy Focus 26 2.5.2 Expansion of Grid Substation Capacity 26 2.5.3 New Transmission Lines 27

3 STUDY METHODOLOGY, SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS 27

4 RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 28

5 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 28 5.1 Three New Grid Substations to be Built 28 5.2 Eight Existing Grid Substations to be Augmented 31 5.3 Description of the Environment Along the Proposed Transmission Lines 36

5.3.1 Galle- Matara 132 kV Transmission Line 36 5.3.2 Habarana-Valachchenai 132 kV Line 40 5.3.3 Puttalam-Maho 132 kV Transmission Line 44 5.3.4 Ukuwela-Pallekelle 132 kV Transmission Line 48 5.3.5 Proposed In and Out Connection at Naula 52

6 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES 52 6.1 Grid Substations 52

6.1.1 Project Siting 53 6.1.2 Potential Environmental Impacts of GSs and Mitigatory Measures 53 6.1.3 Potential Environmental Enhancement Measures 55

6.2 Transmission Lines 56 6.2.1 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigatory Measures 56 6.2.2 Galle-Matara 132 kV Transmission Line 58 6.2.3 Habarana-Valachchenai 132 Transmission Line 60 6.2.4 Puttalam-Maho 132 Transmission Line 63 6.2.5 Ukuwela-Pallekelle 132 kV Transmission Line 65 6.2.6 Transmission Line for Naula In and Out Connection 67

7 SRI LANKA LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 69 7.1 Environmental Acts and Regulations 69 7.2 Environmental Approval Procedure 69

7.2.1 Augmentation of Eight Grid Substations 69 7.2.2 Construction of Three New Grid Substations 69 7.2.3 Transmission line for in and out Connection to Naula GS 71 7.2.4 Transmission Lines 71

8 INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN 71 8.1 Procedure to Handle Public Complaints 71 8.2 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan 72

9 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 82 9.1 Grid Substations 82 9.2 Right-of-Way of the Transmission Line 83

9.2.1 Preliminary Work Conducted 83 9.2.2 Sri Lanka Environmental Approval Process 83 9.2.3 Formal Notice and Route Confirmation 86 9.2.4 Public Consultation and Appeal Procedure to Address Grievances 86

9.3 Procedure to Handle Public Complaints During Implementation Phase 87

10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 87 10.1 Project Justification 87 10.2 Environmental Impacts of GS Augmentation 88 10.3 Transmission Lines 88

11 CONCLUSIONS 88

ANNEX 1: RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) CHECKLIST 90

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1- CEB Existing Transmission System 2007 7

Figure 2.1- Space Available for the Augmentation at Horana GS 14

Figure 2.2- Space at Kurunegala GS for the Augmentation 15

Figure 2.3- Space at Panadura for New 33 kV Bay and the New Transformer 16

Figure 2.4- Space at Veyangoda GS Available for the Augmentation 17

Figure 2.5- Sri Lanka Transmission Map (2011) Showing the Elements of the Subproject 18

Figure 2.6- Proposed Route for the New Galle-Matara Transmission Line 21

Figure 2.7- Proposed Route for the Habarana-Valachchenai Line 22

Figure 2.8- Proposed Traverse of the Puttalam-Maho Line 23

Figure 2.9- Ukuwela-Pallekelle Line Trace 24

Figure 5.1 - Population Based on Gender in Each Area 30

Figure 5.2 – Population Composition based on Ethnicity 33

Figure 6.1- Optional Routes for the Galle-Matara Transmission Corridor 58

Figure 6.2- Alternatives Routes for the Habarana - Valachchenai Transmission Corridor 60

Figure 6.3- Optional Routes for the Transmission Corridor Between Puttalam and Maho 63

Figure 6.4- Optional Routes for the Transmission Corridor between Ukuwela & Pallekelle 65

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1- Summary Scope of the Subproject 10

Table 2.2- Land Use in the Galle-Matara Line Corridor 20

Table 2.3- Land Use Along the Habarana-Valachchenai Line Route 22

Table 2.4- Land-use Along the Puttalam-Maho Line Corridor 23

Table 2.5- Land Use Table 24

Table 5.1 – Location of New Grid Substations in terms of DS Division 29

Table 5.2 - Head Count Index of the DS Division Where the Selected GSs are Located 30

Table 5.3 - Percentage Distribution of Educational Attainment by District 31

Table 5.4 –Grid Substations Proposed to be Augmented 31

Table 5.5 - Head Count Index of the DS Division Where the Selected GSs are Located 35

Table 5.6 - Percentage Distribution of Educational Attainment by District 35

Table 5.7- Agricultural Activities in Galle-Matara Districts 38

Table 5.8- Socio-economic Conditions in Galle and Matara 39

Table 5.9- Agricultural Land Use in Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa 43

Table 5.10- Summaried Socio-economic Information on Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa 43

Table 5.11- Details of Agricultural Activities Along the Puttalam-Maho Line 47

Table 5.12- Socio-economic Conditions in Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts 48

Table 5.13- Socio-economic Conditions in the Kandy District 52

Table 6.1- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Galle-Matara 59

Table 6.2- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Habarana-Valachchenai 61

Table 6.3- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Puttalam – Maho 64

Table 6.4- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Ukuwela-Pallekelle 66

Table 8.1- Environmental Monitoring Plan 73

Table 8.2- Cost Estimates for the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan 82

1 INTRODUCTION The project proponent, The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is the national electricity utility in Sri Lanka responsible for generation and transmission of electricity in the country, and is also responsible for the distribution and supply of electricity to about 90% of the customers. About 37% (2006) of electricity is generated by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Small Power Producers (SPPs), while the balance generation and the entire transmission system is owned and operated by CEB. The transmission system comprises 220 kV and 132 kV transmission lines interconnecting Grid Substations (GSs) and power stations. By end 2006, the CEB transmission system consisted of 50 grid substations and about 2050 km of transmission lines. The existing transmission network and the GSs are shown in Figure 1.1. Over the past 10 years, the demand for electricity in Sri Lanka has been growing at annual rates between 5.1% and 13.3%, except in 2001-2 when there were rolling blackouts to overcome generation shortages. With the rapid expansion of rural electrification, this demand growth is recorded in the provincial centres as well, where electricity use for residential, commercial and industrial activities are on the rise. The trend is expected to continue for several years into the future, owing to the Government’s declared policy of providing electricity to at least 85% of households by year 2015. The present electrification ratio stands at 76.7%1. To satisfy the declared policy goals in electrification and to meet the underlying growth in demand from existing and new customers, CEB prepares regional demand forecasts using a combination of trend analysis and information available on expected spot loads for new industrial and commercial developments. Based on these 10-year regional demand forecasts, and the annually updated generation expansion plan, the CEB’s Transmission Planning Branch prepares a 10-year transmission expansion plan. This plan is updated every year. This plan is prepared at a national level and is a comprehensive plan, using tools such as Power System Simulation Software (PSS/e), and provides information with regard to security analysis, stability, fault levels and reliability of the system. The plan also provides information on the weak points in the system and proposes new projects to accommodate the new generation additions as well as to improve the quality and reliability of supply to customers. The main issues considered for transmission development are: • Transmission lines and inter-bus transformer overloading under normal and single

outage (n-1) operating conditions • Overloading of transmission equipment under normal and single outage (n-1) operating

conditions • Corrective measures for voltage criteria violations under normal and single outage (n-1)

operating conditions • Corrective measures for transient stability criteria violations

1 Statistical Digest, Ceylon Electricity Board, 2006

Figure 1.1- CEB Existing Transmission System 2007

EMBILIPITIYA

MATARA

GALLE

DENIYAYA

SAMANALAWEWA

BALANGODA

MATUGAMA

PANADURA

RANTEMBE

RANDENIGALA

VICTORIA

INGINIYAGALA

AMPARA

BOWATENNA

UKUWELA

KIRIBATHKUMBURA

KOTMALE

WIMALASURENDRABADULLA

N'ELIYA

MADAMPE

BOLAWATTA

THULHIRIYA

KURUNEGALA

VEYANGODA

BIYAGAMA

ORUWALA

KOLONNAWA

KOTUGODA

RATMALANA PANNIPITIYA

TRINCOMALEE

ANURADHAPURA

PUTTALAM HABARANA

RATMALANA

PANNIPITIYA

ORUWALA

BIYAGAMA

FORT

KOLLUPITIYA

KOLONNAWA

S'KANDA

132kV : Underground Cable132kV Line

220kV Line

POLPITIYA

NEWLAXAPANA

CANYON

RATNAPURA

KELANIYA

KOTUGODA

SAPUGASKANDA

KELANITISSA

KHD

ATURUGIRIYA

KOSGAMA

ATURUGIRIYA

VAVUNIA

HAMBANTOTA

LAKDANAWI

LAXAPANA

KUKULE

HORANA

SITHAWAKA

220/132 kV Sub Station 132kV GS Hydro Power Station Thermal Power Station

NEW ANURADHAPURABARGE PS

KELANITISSA

CHUNNAKAM

KILINOCHCHI

VALACHCHANAI

132kV Line (not in operation)

SRI JAYAWARDHANAPURA

MARADANA

HAVELOCK TOWN

DEHIWALA

The plan identifies specific network and substation development requirements and their timing, and provides cost estimates for the proposals. These proposals are then submitted for financing. In addition to the regular transmission planning studies regularly conducted by CEB, a Master Plan Study for the development of the transmission system in Sri Lanka was completed by CEB with technical assistance from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in January 2006.

1.1 The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) This IEE report is prepared at the inception of the process of submitting this sub-project for consideration of financing by the Asian Development Bank. To the best possible extent, this report follows the ADB guidelines on the preparation of IEEs. The sub-project (or the relevant elements of it) has been submitted to the Central Environmental Authority for approval under the Sri Lanka Environmental Act, and the approval process has commenced. Field visits and public consultations were completed for all transmission lines. The final approval is expected within the next two months. The designs for the eight GSs to be augmented under this sub-project are in progress, including the preparation of bid documents. Land for the three new GSs to be built has been identified. Routes for the five new transmission lines have been identified (three optional routes for each line excepet for Naula inter connection for which only two optional routes). Information provided in this IEE report is based on site visits by CEB engineers from planning and design divisions, and from the CEB environmental officers.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUB-PROJECT The process of identifying the transmission development needs was explained in Chapter 1. The contents of the sub-project is explained in this chapter, to further clarify the specific elements covered in this IEE report. This sub-project covers the following:

• Augmentation of eight existing GSs • Building three new GSs • Construction of five new transmission lines

2.1 Scope and Outcome of the Sub-project

2.1.1 Summary Scope Table 2.1 summarises the existing capacity and the status after augmentation, at the eight GSs. The Sri Lanka map with the relevant GSs covered in this sub-project, is shown in Figure 2.5.

Table 2.1- Summary Scope of the Subproject Existing

Transformer Capacity

Key Investment Transformer Capacity after the

Proposed Investment First Priority Scope

1 Ampara 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 2 Habarana 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 3 Horana 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 4 Kurunegala 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 5 Matara 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 6 Panadura 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 7 Valachchenai 2 x 10 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 2 x 10 + 1 x 31.5 MVA 8 Veyangoda 2 x 31.5 MVA Augment with one 31.5 MVA transformer 3 x 31.5 MVA 9 Maho - Construction of new Grid Substation 1 x 31.5 MVA 10 Pallekelle - Construction of new Grid Substation 2 x 31.5 MVA 11 Naula - Construction of new Grid Substation 1 x 31.5 MVA 12 Habarana-

Valachchenai - Construction of 132kV D/S Transmission Line

(100km) -

13 Puttalam-Maho

- Construction of 132kV D/S Transmission Line (42km)

-

14 Ukuwela-Pallekelle

- Construction of 132kV D/S Transmission Line (18km)

-

15 Galle-Matara - Construction of 132kV D/S Transmission Line (34km)

-

16 Naula in and out connection

= Construction of 132kV D/S Transmission Line for in an out connection from Naula GS

(0.5km)

-

2.2 Detailed Scope

2.2.1 First Priority Scope

2.2.1.1 Augmentation of Existing Grid Substations Ampara Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132kV single busbar transformer bay, one 132kV bus section bay, one 33kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays and one 33kV bus section bay, Installation of 30MVAr power factor controlled breaker switched capacitors at 33kV bus

Matara Grid Substation: Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132kV single busbar transformer bay, one 33 kV bus section bay, one 33kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays)

Panadura Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132 kV single busbar transformer bay, one 33 kV bus section bay, one 33 kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays Veyangoda Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132 kV double busbar transformer bay, one 33 kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays

2.2.1.2 New Grid Substations

Maho Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 1x31.5 MVA Others: 1x132 kV single busbar transmission line bay, 1x132kV single busbar transformer bay, 1x33 kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays,

Pallekele Grid Substation: Transformers Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA Others: 2x132 kV single busbar transmission line bays, one 132 kV bus section bay, 2x132 kV single busbar transformer bays, 2x33k V Transformer bays, one 33 kV bus section bay, 8x33 kV feeder bays, Installation of 4x5 MVAr, power factor controlled breaker switched capacitors.

2.2.1.3 New Transmission Lines Habarana-Valachchenai • Construction of 132kV transmission line from Habarana to Valachchenai (100 km, Zebra,

one circuit stringing out of two circuits) • Construction of 1x132 kV single busbar transmission line bay at Habarana Grid

Substation • Construction of 1x132 kV single busbar transmission line bay at Valachchenai Grid

Substation Puttalam-Maho • Construction of Puttalam-Maho 132kV transmission line (one circuit stringing out of two

circuits, 42 km, Zebra) • Construction of 1x132 kV, single busbar transmission line bay at Puttalam Grid

Substation Ukuwela-Pallekelle • Construction of Ukuwela-Pallekele 132 kV transmission line (two circuits, 16 km, Zebra) • Construction of 2x132 kV double busbar transmission line bays at Ukuwela Grid

Substation.

2.2.2 Second Priority Scope 2.2.2.1 Augmentation of existing Grid Substations Habarana Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132kV S/B transformer bay, one 33kV transformer bay, 1x33kv bus section bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays

Horana Grid Substation: Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132kV single busbar transformer bay, one 33kV bus section bay, one 33kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays

Kurunegala Grid Substantiation: Transformer Capacity: 2x31.5 MVA increased to 3x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132kV, single busbar transformer bay, one 33kV bus section bay, one 33kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays

Valachchenai Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 2x10 MVA increased to 2x10 MVA+1x31.5 MVA Other additions: one 132 kV single busbar transformer bay, one 132 kV bus section bay, one 33 kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays and one 33 kV bus section bay 2.2.2.2 New Grid Substations Naula Grid Substation Transformer Capacity: 1x31.5 MVA Others: 2x132 kV single busbar transmission line bay, 1x132 kV single busbar transformer bay, 1x33 kV transformer bay, 4x33 kV feeder bays Transmission interconnection: Construction of single in-out connection from Ukuwela-Habarana 132 kV transmission line (2cct, 0.5 km, Zebra) 2.2.2.3 New Transmission Lines Galle-Matara • Construction of Galle-Matara 132 kV transmission line (two circuits, 36 km, Zebra). • Construction of 2x132 kV, Double Busbar transmission line bays at Galle GS. • Construction of 2x132 kV, Single Busbar transmission line bays at Matara GS. Naula in and out connection • Construction of 0.5km long 132 kV transmission line for in and out connection to Naula

Grid Substation from existing Ukuwela – Habarana 132kV Transmission Line(two circuits, 0.5 km, Zebra).

2.3 Project Description Owing to the common features of the eight GSs that are to be augmented, their features are described in the first subsection below. The second subsection will carry a description of the three new GSs to be built and the third subsection explains the four new transmission lines to be built under this sub-project.

2.3.1 GSs to be Augmented (i) Ampara The GS is located in the Eastern Province, in the outskirts of Ampara town along the Ampara-Kalmunai road, within Ampara city limits, and serves most parts of the vast Ampara District through a network of 33 kV lines. It is located in the Mihidupura Grama Niladhari (GN) division. From the Ampara-Kalmunai road, the access to the GS is along a local road for a distance of 1 km. Land in the immediate vicinity of the GS is all privately owned, but the area is sparsely populated. There is an Army Camp on one end of the GS land, and this would be re-located to make the space available for the proposed augmentation. The alternative space to relocate the Army Camp is presently being identified. As the land available on site under CEB ownership is adequate, no land acquisition would be required. The GS is presently Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) on the 33 kV side, and this GIS will be extended to accommodate the augmentation. The GIS building would require to be extended for this purpose. Once the final designs are completed, it may be required to completely shift the GIS system and the building to a different location within the GS and re-arrange the equipment to make maximum use of the available space. (ii) Habarana: The Habarana GS is located in Anuradhapura District in the North Central Province, alongside the A6 highway in the outskirts of the Habarana town, away from commercial activities in the town, in the GN division of Hiriwadunna. Access to the GS is from the public highway through a 200m minor road owned and maintained by CEB. The land space at the GS is adequate for the planned augmentation with one 31.5 MVA transformer, while more land is available at site for further expansion. The land is sloping downwards from the access road and would require some filling to accommodate the 33 kV bus extension required for the augmentation. The GS is located on two levels. A new control building would be required to accommodate the services required for the augmented GS. Around the perimeter of the GS, the adjoining land is privately owned, with one house in the immediate vicinity while the other lands are unused and overgrown. There are no places of public or historic importance in the vicinity of the GS. The material for the land filling, building of the retaining wall and other structures will be transported along the main highway, thereafter along the 200 m access road and directly into the CEB premises, thus avoiding the use of any minor roads in the area except CEB’s own access road.

Improvement and rearrangement of the storm water system will be included in the augmentation project. The land and other adjacent properties in the vicinity are sloping towards the adjoining land, away from the access road. The storm water outlet is presently directed to a natural waterway in the adjoining land, and this practice will continue, which will not cause any hindrance to the population, as the land is not occupied. (iii) Horana The GS is located away from the expanding Horana town, about 10 km along the Horana-Ingiriya Road. The GS is about 500 m away from the public highway, along an access road owned by the Board of Investment (BoI). Within a few km from the GS towards Ingiriya, there is the Horana industrial zone and the Horana power plant, which is an IPP. However, the GS is located away from the power plant and the industrial zone, but serves the zone. The GS is located on a land owned by the BoI, which is the usual practice when special industrial zones are established by the BoI. There are no private houses or any other buildings along the access road to the GS from the main road or in the vicinity of the GS. The adjoining lands all round the GS are unoccupied and they belong to BoI, but some rubber cultivation is present on the adjoining land, intermittently. There are no public offices and schools, or places of religious or historic interest in the area. For the planned augmentation, the land to be used is already allocated to CEB as a part of the existing GS, presently unused. The land is sloping and may require some cutting to prepare the space for the augmentation. There are no rock outcrops and the ground is soft, and therefore, no rock blasting will be required during land preparation. Storm water drainage is presently towards the access road, to an already available road-side drain. The storm water system within the GS will be extended to cover the new area for the augmentation. There will be no hindrance to the adjoining rubber cultivation owing to storm water from the GS.

Figure 2.1- Space Available for the Augmentation at Horana GS

(iv) Kurunegala The access to the GS is from the main Kurunegala-Kandy (A10) highway up to Mawathagama, then along the Mawathagama-Ritigama Road (200 m) and a further 100 m along a minor local road. There are private houses along the minor road. The area is predominantly residential, with mixed agriculture including paddy and other crops. There are no public offices and schools, or places of religious or historic interest in the area. The GS fence presently does not enclose the entire land owned by CEB, and for the extension, the fence will be extended to the boundary of the CEB-owned property. Once the fence is extended, there will be one house immediately beyond the fence. Furthermore, there are three CEB-owned housing units within CEB property, and they too will remain outside the fence after the augmentation. The land where the augmentation is to be located within the GS is already prepared and leveled, and the new transformer and other structures will be located within the available space. Presently this space is unoccupied and lies entirely within CEB’s property, but outside the existing fence. The GS is gas-insulated on the 33 kV side and will remain so with the augmentation. Improvement and rearrangement of the storm water system will be included in the augmentation project. The GS land and the adjoining lands are sloping towards the paddy lands in the adjoining properties. The storm water outlet is directed to a natural waterway in the adjoining paddy land, and this will not cause any hindrance to the population.

Figure 2.2- Space at Kurunegala GS for the Augmentation

(v) Matara The Matara GS is located in the Southern Province, within Matara City limits, in the GN division of Hittetiya North. The access to the site is from the Galle-Matara highway (A2), then along Akuressa Road for 300 m, and then for 1 km along a city road. The proposed augmentation will lie entirely within the space already allocated for the GS. The area is

predominantly residential. The back of the GS land is a marsh, while there are houses in front of the GS along the access road as well as along the boundaries. The control building requires to be modified to accommodate the extended GIS system on the 33 kV side. The land is located within a marsh, and it is expected that specialised foundations would be required for the proposed augmentation. A piled foundation is expected. If the detailed designs confirm the need for a piled foundation, special precautions would be required to conduct such work with the minimum disturbance to the people living in the vicinity. Storm water drainage is towards the marsh at the back of the GS, and the drainage system will be extended to cover the augmentation, but will discharge to the marsh. There will be no hindrance to the adjoining houses owing to storm water discharge from the GS. (vi) Panadura The Panadura GS is located in the Western Province in the District of Kalutara. The GN division is Malamulla. It is located off Panadura-Malamulla road. The turn off from the A2 highway is at Panadura hospital. At 300 m along the Malamulla Road, turn right into a local authority road and the GS is located about 3 km along this road. There is land available within the GS premises to accommodate the augmentation, but some re-orientation work will be required because there is limited space on the 33 kV side for the planned augmentation. The GS is located in a residential area. The access road is highly populated. There are houses in front of the GS on the roadside. On the sides of the GS, there is one house 3 m away from the boundary, and another 10 m away. The site is already flat and no additional site preparation work is expected. No special foundations are required. The flow of storm water is towards the roadway and the augmented GS would also discharge storm water to the same location. There are no public buildings and schools in the vicinity of the GS. Similarly there are no places of religious or historic importance in the area.

Figure 2.3- Space at Panadura for New 33 kV Bay and the New Transformer

(viii) Veyangoda This GS is located in the Gampaha District in Western province,. The location is reached from Venyangoda town along the Minuwangoda road, turning off at Naiwala junction, and a further 200m away on a provincial highway. The access to the site not directly from the provincial highway, but would use a minor road for a further distance of 200 m. The GS is located in a coconut growing area, surrounded by coconut palms with no houses in the immediate vicinity. On one border of GS, there is a paddy field. There are no public buildings and schools in the immediate vicinity of the GS. Similarly there are no places of religious or historic importance in the area. There is land available within the GS premises to accommodate the augmentation. The site is already flat and no additional site preparation work is expected. No special foundations are required. The flow of storm water is towards an existing waterway in the adjoining paddy land and the augmented GS would also discharge storm water to the same location.

Figure 2.4- Space at Veyangoda GS Available for the Augmentation

Figure 2.5- Sri Lanka Transmission Map (2011) Showing the Elements of the Subproject

NEW ANURADHAPURA

EMBILIPITIYA

MATARAGALLE

DENIYAYA

SAMANALAWEWA

BALANGODA

MATUGAMA

PANADURA

RANTEMBE

RANDENIGALA

VICTORIA

INGINIYAGALA

AMPARA

BOWATENNA

UKUWELA

KIRIBATHKUMBURA

KOTMALE

WIMALASURENDRABADULLA

N'ELIYA

MADAMPE

BOLAWATTA

THULHIRIYA

KURUNEGALA

VEYANGODA

BIYAGAMA

KOLONNAWA

KOTUGODA

RATMALANAPANNIPITIYA

TRINCOMALEE

ANURADHAPURA

PUTTALAM HABARANA

RATMALANA

PANNIPITIYA

ORUWALA

BIYAGAMA

FORT

KOLLUPITIYA

KELANITISSA

KOLONNAWA

S'KANDA

132kV : Underground Cable132kV Line

220kV Line

POLPITIYA

NEWLAXAPANA

CANYON

RATNAPURA

ANIYAKANDA

KELANIYA

KOTUGODA

SAPUGASKANDA

KELANITISSA

KHD

ATURUGIRIYA

KOSGAMA

ATURUGIRIYA

VAVUNIA

POLONNARUWA

PANNALA

AMBALANGODA

HAMBANTOTA

KERAWALAPITIYA

MEDAGAMA

PALLEKELE

LAXAPANA

KATANA

KUKULE

HORANA

SITHAWAKADEHIWALA

SRI J'PURA

ANIYAKANDAKERAWALAPITIYA

DEHIWALA

MARADANA

220/132 kV Sub Station 132kV GS Hydro Power Station Thermal Power Station

HAVELOCK TOWN

NAULA

KOTAHENA

KEGALLE

BARGE PS

KILINOCHCHI

CHUNNAKAM

VALACHCHANAI

PADDIRIPPU

SUB B

MAHOSRI J'PURA

BELIATTA

PUTTLAM PS

220kV UG Cable

MAHIYANGANE

ORUWALA

Grid substations to be augmented under the subproject

New Lines to be built under the subproject

New Grid substations to be built under the subproject

2.3.2 New Grid Substations (i) Maho The new Maho GS will be located on approximately 2 ha of land. The block of land earmarked for the GS is presently owned by the Government, and the procedure to have the land allocated to CEB has already commenced with the application being made to the DS of the area. The site is located in Wilawa GN division in the District of Kurunegala, in the Northwestern province, on the Maho-Nikaweratiya public highway, 2 km away from the Maho town. Access to the land will be directly from the public highway. The land is presently bare with no appreciable cultivations and is covered in shrubs. It is flat and is not expected to require any appreciable earthworks. The storm water from the GS would be directed to the main culvert along the road. There are no public offices or schools in the vicinity. Similarly, there are no places of religious or historic importance in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site. There are no houses or other buildings that would border the site. (ii) Naula The new Naula GS is proposed to be located on approximately 2 ha of land. The block of land earmarked for the GS is presently owned by the Mahaweli Authority (a Government institution), and the procedure to have the land allocated to CEB has already commenced with the application being made to Mahaweli Authority. The site is reached from the Naula Town by first traveling 1 km along the Elahera Road, and then along a 1 km roadway to be upgraded and developed by CEB under this project. The first 50 m of the proposed 1 km roadway has a concrete surface while the balance presently has a gravel surface. On another boundary, there is a forest reservation, and on the remaining boundary, there are 10 houses within a short distance from the land. CEB’s 220 kV Kotmale-Anuradhapura transmission line passes in the visible range from this land, traversing the forest reserve. Similarly, the 132 kV line from which the new GS would be fed passes within 500 m from the site. On one side of the land is a stream and it would be required to build a retaining wall. The filling depth against the retaining wall is estimated to be 5 m at the boundary with the stream, and would be progressively lower towards the middle of the land. The land is presently bare with no appreciable cultivation and is covered in shrubs, and at times used by Mahaweli Authority as dumping grounds. The storm water from the GS would be directed to the stream flowing along one boundary. There are no public offices or schools in the vicinity. Similarly, there are no places of religious or historic importance in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site.

(iii) Pallekelle The new Pallekelle GS will be located on approximately 2 ha of land. The block of land earmarked for the GS lies within the Pallekelle industrial zone of the Board of Investment (BoI), and the land is already allocated to CEB. The site is reached from the Kandy-Digana Road, along the access road to the industrial zone, and then along an internal road of the zone. On one boundary, there is a private land, and on another boundary, there is a bare land. There is a factory located across the zone’s internal road, when looking from the land. The land is presently bare with no appreciable cultivations and it is flat. The storm water from the new GS would be directed to the internal drainage system maintained by the BoI. There are no public offices or schools in the vicinity. Similarly, there are no places of religious or historic importance in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site.

2.3.3 New Transmission Lines

(i) Galle- Matara The proposed 132 kV transmission line from Galle to Matara will be about 34 km in length. The line will start at the GS in Galle and generally proceed eastwards mostly over developed areas and semi-natural habitats. The proposed line corridor will cross a mix of landscapes comprising home gardens, agricultural lands, paddy fields and scrublands in reaching the GS in Matara. The general layout of the proposed transmission line is shown in Figure 2.6. The composition of land use across the line corridor is paddy land (58%), home garden & village settlements (33%), and scrub and marsh (9%). The corridor will cross two A-class roads, 4 B-class roads, several minor roads and the river called Polwatte Ganga.

Table 2.2- Land Use in the Galle-Matara Line Corridor

Selected Option 1

Approximate line length (km) 36 Land use type (% of line length) Paddy field 58.1 Marsh/Swamp 5.0 Tea 1.7 Coconut 2.8 Other cultivations 6.7 Home garden 20.0 Shrub 3.7 Village settlements 2.0 River crossings 3 Road crossings (A & B class and minor roads) 20

Note: Line length was scaled from the map and may differ from the nominal length given in the text

Figure 2.6- Proposed Route for the New Galle-Matara Transmission Line

(ii) Habarana-Valachchenai The proposed 132 kV transmission line from Habarana to Valaichchenai will be about 100 km in length. The line will start at the existing Habarana GS located at the 110 km post on the A6 road to Trincomalee. Site of the Habarana GS is almost on the edge of the Polonnaruwa district. The line corridor will cross the districts of Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa in reaching the GS in Valaichchenai. The general layout of the proposed transmission line is shown in Figure 2.7. The percentage composition of the land use across the line corridor is; Chena2 and shrub land (40%), forest (11%), paddy land (33%) and village settlements & home garden (10%). The corridor will cross 2 A-class, 2 B-class and several minor roads, and the Mahaweli river about 3 km north of Manampitiya bridge.

2 Chena is generally degraded forest, used informally for shifting agriculture in subsistence farming

Table 2.3- Land Use Along the Habarana-Valachchenai Line Route

Selected Option 1

Approximate line length (km) 100 Land use type (% of line length) Paddy field 33.0 Marsh/Swamp 1.4 Grass lands 2.5 Chena 1.3 Other cultivations 2.3 Home garden 5.5 Shrub 38.8 Forest 11.0 Village settlements 4.2 River crossings 7 Road crossings (A & B class and minor roads) 16 Railway crossings 3

Figure 2.7- Proposed Route for the Habarana-Valachchenai Line

(iii) Puttalam-Maho 132 kV Transmission Line Proposed 132 kV transmission line from Puttalam to Maho will be 42 km in length. The line will start at the GS situated in Kalladi in the Puttalam DS division and traverse the DS

divisions of Anamaduwa and Kotawehera in reaching the proposed GS in Maho. The line corridor will cross the A 10 road that joins Puttalam with Anamaduwa, and also three other B-class roads in its passage to Maho. General layout of the proposed transmission line is shown in Figure 2.8. About 70% of the line will pass over Chena, paddy and grasslands. Rest of the line will go over isolated villages situated closer to Maho end of the line. Land use types and the roads crossed by the proposed corridor are described in Table 2.4.

Figure 2.8- Proposed Traverse of the Puttalam-Maho Line

Table 2.4- Land-use Along the Puttalam-Maho Line Corridor

Selected Option 1

Approximate line length (km) 42.0 Land use type (% of line length) Paddy field 33.7 Grass lands 4.6 Chena/Shrub 30.5 Other cultivations 2.5 Home garden 26.0 Village settlements 0.5 Tanks/abandoned tanks 2.0 Road crossings (A & B class and minor roads) 8

(iv) Ukuwela-Pallekelle The proposed 132 kV transmission line from Ukuwela to Pallekele will be 18 km in length. The line will start at the GS situated near the Ukuwela power station and proceed in a south-easterly direction in reaching the proposed GS to be sited within the Pallekele Industrial

Zone. The line will traverse developed areas in the Kandy district. The corridor has been selected in a way that maximises the passage through scattered patches of paddy fields. Nearly 50% of the line will pass over paddy fields and the balance comprises home gardens and village settlements. Proposed line corridor will cross the roads B 36 (twice) and B 37. The general layout of the proposed transmission line is shown in Figure 2.9.

Figure 2.9- Ukuwela-Pallekelle Line Trace

Table 2.5- Land Use Table

Selected Option 1

Approximate line length (km) 16.5 Land use type (% of line length) Paddy field 48.8 Home garden 45.8 Village settlements 5.5 Road crossings (A & B class and minor roads) 10 Railway crossings 2

(v) Naula in - out connection The proposed in and out connection to Naula GS (described under para 2.3.2 above) from existing Ukuwela - Habarana 132kV transmission line will be a short 132 kV transmission line approximately 0.5 km in length. The line will start at the closest angle tower (to proposed Naula GS) of the existing transmission line, and will be terminated at the proposed

GS. The proposed line corridor (of 0.5Km) consist of mainly shrubs, chenas and a few home gardens only The composition of land use across the line corridor is shrub (40%), chenas (33%) and home gardens (27%). The corridor will cross a single B-class road and a minor road only.

Figure 2.10- Line Trace for Naula In and Out Connection

Table 2.6- Land Use Table

Selected Option 2

Approximate line length (km) 0.5 Land use type (% of line length) Home garden 27 Shrub 40 Chena 33 Schools Nos. - Road crossings (B class and minor roads)

Nos. 2

2.4 Type of Project and the Category This subproject consists of augmentation of eight existing GSs, building three new GSs, and building four new transmission lines along a new corridor developed for each new line. According to the ADB Environmental Assessment Guidelines3 (clause 142), this subproject can be classified as follows: Project type: Electrical Transmission Category: B

2.5 Need for the Project

2.5.1 Policy Focus The policy focus for the development of the national grid is stated in the National Energy Policy of Sri Lanka (2006)4. The policy states as follows (clauses 2.1 and 2.8) under the policy elements: Providing Basic Energy Needs: Energy requirements to fulfill the basic needs of the people, and to enhance their living standards and opportunities for gainful economic activity will be adequately and continually satisfied at the lowest possible cost to the economy. Enhancing the Quality of Energy Services: The quality of energy services will be ensured through imposition of appropriate quality standards and regulatory interventions. Furthermore, under targets and milestones, the policy states as follows (clause 4.1): Medium-term targets to achieve rural electrification through grid extensions shall be 75% by 2008, 80% by 2010 and 85% by 2015.

2.5.2 Expansion of Grid Substation Capacity The proposed subproject encompasses a group of grid strengthening project elements, which serve the purpose of providing capacity for expanding rural electrification networks, and to improve the quality of supply to already connected customers, both rural and sub-urban. Rural Areas: Augmentation of the grid substations in Ampara, Habarana, Kurunegala, Valachchenai and Veyangoda specifically address the capacity requirements to improve the service to predominantly rural customers. Augmentation of Ampara GS and Valachchenai GS would improve the service to vast areas of the Eastern Province, serving predominantly rural customers, who are presently served with a capacity constraint. The new grid substations at Maho and Naula would serve predominantly rural areas in the North western and Central provinces, respectively, and improve the quality of supply to existing rural customers and provide capacity to serve new customers in the two provinces, and in the adjoining provinces.

3 Environmental Assessment Guidelines, Asian Development Bank, 2003. 4 Ministry of Power and Energy, Colombo, Sri Lanka. October 2006. See www.pucsl.gov.lk

Mixed Rural and Industrial Areas: Capacity expansion at Horana GS and the new Pallekelle GS serve the adjoining industrial zones, as well as the retail customers in the areas who remain predominantly rural, in spite of the industrial developments over the past few years. Suburban Developments: Matara and Panadura GSs serve suburban customers of all types and augmentation of these would strengthen the capacity to improve reliability to these customers.

2.5.3 New Transmission Lines Three of the five transmission lines to be built under this sub-project would serve the new GSs at Maho and Pallekelle and Naula. The Habarana-Valachchenai line, along with the augmentation of the Valachchenai GS would help increase the capacity to serve the northern sector of the Eastern province. The other transmission line under this project, Galle-Matara, would improve the reliability of the service to both Galle and Matara, both of which are rapidly growing. The necessity and the capacity of all the GS developments and new transmission lines have been identified by extensive planning studies conducted over the past few years, and many of the proposed developments are already behind schedule.

3 STUDY METHODOLOGY, SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS This grid substation component of this subproject is at a relatively advanced stage, with detailed designs of the eight grid substations already in progress, inclusive of the bid documents. This study used the information collected by CEB staff during the design phase. In case of the transmission lines, the work is presently at a preliminary level. The technical specifications of the lines have been finalised, and preliminary identification of the line routing has been completed with map-based assessments followed by field visits by CEB engineering staff and Environmental Officers. This study extensively draws upon the experience of CEB staff who have been working on the planning and design phases of the GSs, and the information collected during site visits. In case of transmission lines, the study draws on the experience of CEB design engineers about the route, and the information obtained from other experts in areas such as biodiversity impacts along the proposed corridor. This study is limited to the information available from different sources stated above at the time of writing. A specific limitation exists with regard to the finalisation of corridor for the five transmission lines under this project, which will be done at the next phase of project development. While the selected alternative for each line corridor is acceptable to the CEB, specific conditions stipulated during the environmental approval process and the subsequent process of addressing grievances of affected persons, may require minor deviation from the proposed routing, and these deviations can only be confirmed after the detailed route surveys have been completed, notices are issued in accordance with Electricity Act, and objections are resolved by relevant DSs. Thus the impacts and mitigatory measures stated in this report have been based on CEB’s previous experience with similar projects.

Any major deviation (including changing the alignment to an alternative route at a latest stage) is unlikely as Environmental Scoping Committee has already accepted the selected route (with only a minor deviation in Habana - Valachchanai transmission line only). In case, there will be a need to opt for an alternative route, CEB will re-submit an environmental clearance request to the Environmental Scoping Committee . At the same time CEB will submit a revised IEE to ADB to reflect changes in the route alignment.

4 RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The ADB format was used in conducting the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA). As the GSs to be augmented are already within premises owned by CEB with an established operational procedure, the number of different potential environmental impacts identified were limited to the following: Project Siting: All the eight grid substations to be augmented are within the existing land space of each GS. Except for an adjoining forest reserve at the new GS site at Naula, none of the GSs is adjacent to a natural reserve, and no impacts are expected. The Habarana-Valachchenai line passes through a significant forest reserve, and efforts have been made to minimise impacts by traversing the existing line and then deviating to a new corridor. Potential Environmental Impacts: These were identified to the best possible extent during the REA, and the description of the environment, and potential impacts and mitigatory measures (Chapters 5 and 6) describe the findings of the REA.

5 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT Information in this section is presented for groups of substations where appropriate, to avoid repetition of common information. Wherever special situations exist, they are separately stated. The subproject encompasses building three new grid substations while eight existing grid substations will also be augmented. Since GS augmentations will be done at their present premises, within the available land space already owned by CEB, there will be no additional land acquisition.

5.1 Three New Grid Substations to be Built The three new grid substations to be built within the Sub Project are to be located at Maho, Naula and Pallekele, all rural areas with subdued socio economic activities. Both Maho and Naula grid substations will specifically serve rural electricity loads while in Pallekele, the industrial zone will also be benefited by the new grid substation in addition to the predominantly rural electricity consumer.

Available Infrastructure Facilities: All three new grid substations will be linked to the national road network through A and B class roads. Location of Maho GS will be 3km away from an A class road linking Anuradhapura and Kurunegala while the rail network also traverse through Maho. Naula GS will be located close to the A class road between Dambulla and Matale. Being close to Dambulla, which is a central location connecting Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy (via Matale) and Colombo (via Kurunegala), Naula GS will be easily accessible from all these major townships. Pallekele GS will be located close to the A class road connecting Kandy and Mahiyangana. Due to the presence of the Industrial Zone, the road accessibility of Pallekele area is maintained with high priority. All the three grid substations are planned to be built in areas already having grid electricity, though at the distribution voltage of 33kV. Both Maho and Pallekele are to be built in association with new transmission lines to connect these areas to the high voltage (132kV) electricity grid while Naula GS will be supplied with high voltage (132kV) supply by tapping off the existing Ukuwela-Valachchena line. Maho is an irrigated land area with adequate rainfall to maintain a constant water supply while Naula and Pallekele have constant water supply due to their location within the Central Province, which has abundant water resources in the form of streams and constant rainfall. Industrial Activities: Both Maho and Naula are areas with minimal industrial activities. Agriculture is the main source of income in these two areas. In contrast, an Industrial Zone is located in Pallekele housing about 20 industrial enterprises mainly focused on export production. However, except for this Industrial Zone, even Pallekele is predominantly an agricultural area with tea and vegetables being grown in large scale. Land Use: While the land area used for agriculture is the primary usage in terms of land use in all three areas of concern, the unused land area is considerably higher than the used land. Except for the industrial zone extending to 83 ha in Pallekele, no other major land uses are recorded in all three areas in addition to the patches of settlements in isolated locations close to the town area. In general, ample free land is available (mostly government owned) in the selected locality for the three new gird substations. Social and Cultural Resources: The main benefit of the proposed three new grid substations is the quality improvement of grid electricity supply provided to the area in terms of grid power reliability and power quality. In this aspect, the improvement of the power quality would benefit the present rural communities already electrified and enable further electrification of more households and new industries. Therefore, the present status of the respective areas in terms of availability and nature of social and cultural resources are discussed here, mainly to use as a baseline to assess the positive or negative impacts the proposed construction works can create. The analysis of social and cultural resources is confined to the locality of the proposed construction by considering only the Divisional Secretariat (DS) area of the corresponding project locations (Table 5.1 presents the locality of the proposed projects in terms of DS division.

Table 5.1 – Location of New Grid Substations in terms of DS Division

New Grid Substation Province District DS Division

Maho North Western Kurunegala Maho Naula Central Matale Naula Pallekele Central Kandy Kundasale

Demographic Data: As Figure 5.1 suggests, the size of the area in terms of population is significantly different especially in the case of Naula where the total population is less than 30,000 while in Pallekele, it is more than 100,000. However, the gender mix is consistent in all the areas with equal proportions of males and females. Another demographic feature in the considered areas is the age group of the population. More than 35% of the population is less than 19 years of age.

Figure 5.1 - Population Based on Gender in Each Area

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Maho Naula Kundasale (Pallekele)

Grid Substaion Location (DS Division)

Popu

latio

n

Male Female

Socio-economic Conditions: The head count index, a useful indicator of the socio economic condition of a population, is used here to understand the economic condition of communities in the local area. Considering the national average head count index of 23%, it can be considered that both Maho and Pallekele are relatively poor areas.

Table 5.2 - Head Count Index of the DS Division Where the Selected GSs are Located

Grid Substation District DS Division Head Count Index (% population below

poverty level) Maho Kurunegala Maho 20.9% Naula Matale Naula 24.3%

Pallekele Kandy Kundasale 19.2% Education Facilities: In general, the education system and the facilities in Sri Lanka are considered better than in most of the counties in the region. In the areas where the new grid substations are to be located, the level of education is comparable to the national standard. Table 5.3 provides information on the education level of each district where the construction works are to be located. In general, more than 70% of the population in all three districts have obtained school education beyond grade 5.

Table 5.3 - Percentage Distribution of Educational Attainment by District Kurunegala

(Maho GS) Matale

(Naula GS) Kandy

(Pallekele GS) No Schooling 5.4 7.3 6.0

Attending Grade 1

0.8 0.6 0.9

Passed Grade 1-5

21.8 23.6 21.4

Passed Grade 6-10

41.1 41.3 39.0

Passed GCE O/L

18.3 17.0 19.2

Passed GCE A/L

8.9 7.3 9.8

Degree and Above

1.2 0.8 1.3

Not Stated 2.6 2.2 2.4 Historic or Archaeological Structures: There are no places of worship, historic or archaeological places of interest in the immediate vicinity of the GSs concerned. Background Levels of Water Quality, Air Quality and Noise : Quantitative information on the background levels of air and water quality are not available. As these grid substations are extension to existing facilities there is no explicit requirement to conduct any measurements on background levels of water and air quality. Such measurements are required only if the proposed projects are expected to make any emissions. As explained in the IEE, the projects do not have any industrial emissions that would have any impacts on air or water quality. None of the locations are in industrial environments with an existing background noise level. In case of any complaint, it is possible to switch-off the power transformers and establish the background noise level without the transformers.

5.2 Eight Existing Grid Substations to be Augmented In addition to the above three grid substations proposed to be constructed new, eight existing grid substations are also to be augmented within the subproject. However, compared to building new substations, augmentation of existing ones have very little effect on the environment, since all construction works will be within the perimeter of the respective substation land already owned by the CEB. Following are the grid substations, proposed to be augmented.

Table 5.4 –Grid Substations Proposed to be Augmented

Grid Substation Province District DS Division Ampara Eastern Ampara Ampara Habarana North Central Anuradhapura Palugaswewa Horana Central Kalutara Horana Kurunegala North Western Kurunegala Mawathagama Matara Southern Matara Matara Panadura Western Kalutara Panadura Valachchena Eastern Batticaloa Korale Pattu Veyangoda Western Gampaha Attanagalla

Available Infrastructure Facilities: Amapara GS is located in Mihindupura, within Ampara town area. Ampara is reachable through Monaragala and Batticaloa through A-class roads. However, the availability of infrastructure facilities in Ampara is relatively low compared to most parts of the country. The Ampara Tank, also located within the town area provides water to the area for basic water needs and for agriculture. Habarana GS is located central to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee, the three main urban centers in that part of the country. In this aspect, Habarana is a key node in the road network, while the railway line also traverses through Habarana on its way to Polonnanruwa and Trincomalee. Located in the dry zone, the irrigation reservoirs are the main source of water supply. However, the general infrastructure availability in Habrana is low, especially due to the low population density and subdued economic activities. Horana is a township on the Panadura-Ratnapura main road. This suburban area which is quite close to the main city Colombo has good infrastructure facilities in the form of pipe born water, communication facilities and good health and educational facilities. The presence of the industrial zone in the area also adds to the emphasis on maintaining the infrastructure facilities properly. Kurunegala GS is located in Mallawapitiya, in the Mawathagama Division, on the Kurunegala-Kandy main road. Kurunegala is a highly urbanized city with very good infrastructure facilities. Good rainfall and couple of reservoirs and streams within the district provides a good water supply while very good education and health facilities are also available within the town limits. Matara is also a highly urbanized city (similar to Kurunegala), located in the Southern province, along the A class road connecting the southern part of the country to Colombo. Good rainfall and Nilwala river provides ample water supply to the area. Matara is also the termination point of the Southern railway line. Basic infrastructure facilities are of very high standard. Panadura GS is located in Malamulla, a suburban area outside the Panadura town limits. The GS is located about 4 km off from the Panadura-Horana main road. Valachchenai is in the Baticaloa District, an area with very low level of infrastructure facilities. The location of the grid substation is central to Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts, on the main A-class road connecting Batticaloa to these two neighboring districts. In addition to the road access, the railway line to Baticaloa also passes through Valachchenai. Veyangoda is in Gampaha district, approximately 5 km off from the Colombo-Kandy main road. Veyangoda is also accessible through the railway network. It is a rapidly developing suburban area with good infrastructure facilities. Industrial Activities: Ampara was actively involved in the sugar industry during the operational days of Hingurana Sugar Factory. However, with the closing down of the factory, the industry and the sugar cane cultivation collapsed in the area. At present, Paddy cultivation and the rice milling industry is the main income source of the district with a high portion of the national rice demand being met within the area. Habarana, though centrally located between Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, is predominantly a jungle area with very

little industrial activities other than the hospitality industry. In contrast, Horana can be considered a relatively active industrial area with an industrial park operating within the area while several other factories operate outside the industrial park. In addition to these recent developments in industrial facilities, historically, rubber plantation had been the major income source for the area. Kurunegala is well known for its paddy and coconut cultivation and the desiccated coconut industry. Agriculture is a dominant income source for Matara as well. Paddy and tea are grown in Matara district while an industrial park in Koggala area adds an industrial base to the district. There are few industries scattered around Panadura area making it a moderately industrialised area. At present, Valachchenai can be considered an area with minimal industrial activities, though famous for being the location of the largest paper factory in the country. With the existing unstable political situation in the area, paper factory is not operated at present. Similarly, the Veyangoda textile mill, which was a landmark industry in Veyangoda area is also non operational. The general pattern of industrialisation of the country is reflected in the areas in concern as most of the areas are mostly involved in agriculture while the industrial base of the country is concentrated in Colombo and the suburbs. Land Use: All the augmentation projects will be carried out at the existing grid substation locations. Therefore, the augmentation component of the subproject will not have any bearing on the land use pattern of the respective area. Social and Cultural Resources: Demographic Data: Considering the dispersion of the GSs of concern around the country, it is interesting to note the ethnic mix of different areas, which has some unique features in areas like Ampara and Valachchena.

Figure 5.2 – Population Composition based on Ethnicity

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

Am

para

Pal

ugas

wew

a(H

abar

ana

GS) H

oran

a

Maw

atha

gam

a(K

urun

egal

aG

S) Mat

ara

Pan

adur

a

Atta

naga

lla(V

eyan

goda

GS)

Sinhalese Sri Lankan Tamil Indian Tamil Sri Lankan Moor BurgherMalay Sri Lankan Chetty Bharatha Other

Socio-economic Conditions: The head count index, a useful indicator of the socio economic condition of a population, is used here to understand the economic condition of communities

in the local area. Considering the national average head count index of 23%, it is evident that Gampaha District, where Veyangoda GS is located is in a very good socio economic condition compared with most other GS locations. However, the two Eastern Province districts, Ampara and Baticaloa of which data are not available, are generally in a far worse socio economic condition relative to other parts of the country. It is believed that Baticaloa is among the poorest regions of the country with a head count index more than 35%.

Table 5.5 - Head Count Index of the DS Division Where the Selected GSs are Located

Grid Substation

District DS Division Head Count Index (% population below

poverty level) Ampara Ampara Ampara Data not available Habarana Anuradhapura Palugaswewa 20% Horana Kalutara Horana 20% Kurunegala Kurunegala Mawathagama 25% Matara Matara Matara 27% Panadura Kalutara Panadura 20% Valachchena Batticaloa Korale Pattu Data not available Veyangoda Gampaha Attanagalla 11%

Education Facilities: From the data presented above, it is clear that the grid substations in consideration are located in area having different socio-economic conditions. The contrast between Veyangoda, Panadura, Horana against Ampara and Valachchena in socio economic condition is visible in the other services available in these areas such as education and health. Table 5.6 provides a comparison of the level of education attained by the population of each area. The percentage of population with an educational attainment beyond GCE O/L in Gampaha district is almost double that of Ampara District, which shows the extreme level of educational facilities available at each area.

Table 5.6 - Percentage Distribution of Educational Attainment by District

Historic or Archaeological Structures: There are no places of worship, historic or archaeological places of interest in the immediate vicinity of the GSs to be augmented. Even Habarana GS, which is located in an area known for archaeological structures of historic importance, is not in close proximity to any identified archeological sites.

Ampara Anuadha-pura

(Habarana GS)

Kalutara (Horana

and Panadura

GSs)

Kurunegala Matara Gampaha

No Schooling

10.2 5.4 4.4 5.4 7.2 3.0

Attending Grade 1

1.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9

Passed Grade 1-5

29.3 25.2 19.2 21.8 22.8 14.8

Passed Grade 6-10

34.5 44.9 40.7 41.1 41.0 40.8

Passed GCE O/L

13.2 14.7 20.6 18.3 16.7 25.0

Passed GCE A/L

6.8 6.3 10.2 8.9 8.3 11.7

Degree and Above

0.6 0.8 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3

Not Stated 2.8 2.0 3.0 2.6 1.9 2.6

Background Levels of Water Quality, Air Quality and Noise : Quantitative information on the background levels of air and water quality are not available. As these grid substations are extension to existing facilities there is no explicit requirement to conduct any measurements on background levels of water and air quality. Such measurements are required only if the proposed projects are expected to make any emissions. As explained in the IEE, the projects do not have any industrial emissions that would have any impacts on air or water quality. None of the locations are in industrial environments with an existing background noise level. In case of any complaint, it is possible to switch-off the power transformers and establish the background noise level without the transformers.

5.3 Description of the Environment Along the Proposed Transmission Lines

5.3.1 Galle- Matara 132 kV Transmission Line

Environmental description presented in this section covers the districts of Galle and Matara, which are the administrative areas within which the proposed project elements will be sited. Water Resources: Surface water availability in Galle and Matara districts is influenced by the annual rainfall and its distribution over the year. Mean annual rainfall in the two districts is about 2600 mm and the monthly rainfall remains above 150 mm for about 75% of the year. Also two large rivers; Nilwala ganga and Gin ganga originating in the Sinharaja rain forest flow across the two districts. Therefore, the surface water availability in the region is generally favourable. Ecological Resources: The proposed transmission line from Galle to Matara would traverse mostly paddy fields, some village gardens, a few settlements, and semi-natural habitats generally found in Galle and Matara districts in south-west part of the country. The beginning of the trace is located north of Galle-Akuressa main road and later it cuts across the road and takes a southward position along a narrow stretch of paddy fields. It travels north of Koggala lake, mainly along semi-developed areas. In Matara district the transmission line goes over a few semi-developed areas and large stretches of paddy fields. The proposed trace cuts across several habitats such as home gardens, agricultural lands, active paddy fields, abandoned paddy fields, scrublands, habitats adjacent to water bodies, flood plains, marshes and abandoned chena. Protected areas or animal migratory pathways were not recorded along the proposed project area. Agro-ecologically the project area lies in the WL4 (wet lowlands). The wet zone receives moderately high mean annual rainfall of over 2500 mm with no rain shadow effect during monsoons and comprises the south-west quadrant of the island. The major soil types in the project area are Red-Yellow Podzolic with soft and hard laterite, and bog and half bog. In addition, Alluvial soils of variable drainage and texture are found along the rivers and small streams in the project area. The entire trace is found in the Floristic Region seven -southern lowland hills and the characteristic natural climax vegetation is tropical wet evergreen (Dipterocarpus community, Mesua-Shorea Community). The most common habitats are paddy fields, home gardens, road side vegetation and agricultural lands.

Plant species such as Hygrophila schulli, Alternanthera sessilis, Alocasia macrorrhizos, Colocasia esculenta, Ageratum conyzoides, Eclipta proatrata, Mikania cordata, Sphaeranthus indicus, Vernonia cinerea, Wedelia trilobata, Xanthium indicum, Heliotropium indicum, Cleome viscose, Commelina diffusa, Commelina sp., Ipomoea aquatica, Cyperus rotundus, Eleocharis spp, Fimbristylis spp., Breynia vitis-idaea, Croton bonplandianus, Croton hirtus, Glochidion zeylanicum, Phyllanthus reticulates, Aeschynomene aspera, Alysicarpus vaginalis, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia tora, Crotalaria laburnifolia, Desmodium triflorum, Macroptilium lathyroides, Sesbania bispinosa, Tephrosia purpurea, Hyptis suaveolens, Ocimum americanum, Limnocharis flava, Marsilia quadrifolia, Ludwigia perennis, Ludwigia peruviana, Pandanus kaida, Axonopus compressus, Chrysopogon aciculatus, Cynodon dactylon, Imperata cylindrical, Oryza stiva, Panicum maximum, Panicum repens, Polygonum tomentosum, Monochoria vaginalis, Salvinia molesta, Limnophila aquatica, Scoparia dulcis, Physalis micrantha, and Phyla nudiflora are found in paddy fields and associated habitats. In home gardens, road side vegetation and agricultural lands, plant species such as Achyranthes aspera, Aerva lanata, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis, Gomphrena celosioides, Anacardium occidentale, Lannea coromandelica, Mangifera indica, Spondias dulcis, Cananga odorata, Polyalthia longifolia, Alstonia macrophylla, Alstonia scholaris, Nerium oleander, Thevetia peruviana, Alocasia macrorrhizos, Areca catechu, Borassus flabellifer, Caryota urens, Cocos nucifera, Calotropis gigantean, Pergularia daemia, Wattakaka volubilis, Asparagus racemosus, Ageratum conyzoides, Eupatorium odoratum, Mikania cordata, Tridax procumbens, Vernonia cinerea, Vernonia zeylanica, Ceiba pentandra, Cleome viscose, Crateva adansonii, Carica papaya, Garcinia quaesita, Terminalia cattappa, Argyrea nervosa, Merremia hederacea, Elaeocarpus serratus, Breynia vitis-idaea, Bridelia retusa, Croton aromaticus , Macaranga peltata, Manihot esculenta, Ricinus communis, Abrus precatorius, Cassia alata, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Samanea saman, Sesbania grandiflora, Tamarindus indica, Dicranopteris linearis, Neolitsea cassia, Thespesia populnea, Artocarpus hetarophyllus, Artocarpus incisus, Swietenia macrophylla, Melia azedarach, Ficus religiosa, Musa x paradisiacal, Bambusa vulgaris, Coffea Arabica, Aegle marmelos, Toddalia asiatica, Solanum trilobatum, Grewia damine, Muntingia calabura, Trema orientalis, Lantana camara, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, and Tectona grandis are found. The bird species recorded in paddy field and associated habitats in the proposed trace for transmission line are Alcedo atthis (Common Kingfisher), Halcyon smyrnensis (White-throated Kingfisher), Casmerodius albus (Great Egret), Mesophoyx intermedia (Intermediate Egret), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret), Ardeola grayii (Pond Heron), Egretta garzetta (Little Egret), Anastomus oscitans (Asian Openbill), Vanellus indicus (Red-wattled Lapwing), Anthus rufulus (Paddyfield Pipit), Halcyon capensis (Stork-billed Kingfisher), and Amaurornis phoenicurus (White-breasted Water hen). In home - gardens, semi- urban areas and agricultural lands bird species such as Pycnonotus luteolus (White-browed Bulbul), Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Orthotomus sutorius (Common Tailorbird), Turdoides affinis (Yellow-billed Babbler), Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent Eagle), Accipiter badius (Shikra), Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Streptopelia chinensis (Spotted Dove), Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow) , Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Corvus splendens (House Crow), Oriolus xanthornus (Black-hooded Oriole), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo), Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian Koel), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flower pecker), Nectarina zeylonica (Purple-rumped Sunbird), Nectarina asiatica (Purple Sunbird),

Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeet), and Pycnonotus cafer (Red-vented Bulbul) are recorded. The mammals species recorded from the proposed project site are Macaca sinica (Sri Lanka toque monkey), Herpestes smithii (Black-tipped or Ruddy mongoose), Sus scrofa (Wild boar), Funambulus palmarum (Palm squirrel), Lepus nigricollis (Black-naped hare) and Pteropus giganteus (Flying fox). Infrastructure Facilities: Galle-Matara region has a network of roads that lead to most interior parts of the two districts, though the quality of minor roads is not very high. The total length of roads in the Southern province that encompasses the two districts is 1290 km. At the provincial level, the household electrification rate remains 77%. Monthly electricity consumption per household varies from 50-60 kWh per month in both districts. Industrial Activities: Industrial activities are relatively high in both districts. About 90% of the industrial establishments in the two districts are small-scale industries that employ about 60% of the total number of persons engaged in the industrial sector. Land Use: Land use pattern in the two districts is characterised by agricultural land under tea, rubber, paddy and cinnamon interspersed with home gardens/human settlements. Tea is primarily grown in higher elevations in the two districts, rubber and spices in middle elevations and paddy in valleys. Agriculture: Agriculture plays a major role in the two districts and cultivation of tea, rubber, paddy and cinnamon account for nearly 60% of the land under agriculture. Average size of a holding is about 0.5 ha for tea, 1.5-2.0 ha for rubber and 0.4 ha for paddy. This indicates that agriculture is a small-scale operation in the two districts, which is the common situation in most parts of rural Sri Lanka. Some data on agricultural aspects are presented in Table 5.8.

Table 5.7- Agricultural Activities in Galle-Matara Districts

Galle Matara Number of agricultural holdings 191,733 153,243 Total extent of land under agriculture (ha) 88,323 81,246 Number of holdings cultivated with tea 58,549 46,152 Extent of land under tea (ha) 25,629 23,704 Average size of a tea holding (ha) 0.44 0.51 Number of holdings cultivated with rubber 3,457 2,497 Extent of land under rubber (ha) 6,676 3,731 Average size of a rubber holding (ha) 1.93 1.49 Number of holdings cultivated with paddy 38,614 39,935 Extent of land under paddy (ha) 15,091 14,676 Average size of a paddy holding (ha) 0.39 0.37 Extent of land under Cinnamon (ha) 10,065 7,269

Source: Census of Agriculture – 2002 Demographic Data: Population and the number of households in the Galle and Matara districts are 1,751,775 and 350,355 respectively. Population density (population per km2) in the two districts is close to 600, which is double the national average. Literacy rate of 90% is close to the national average.

Socio-economic Conditions: Only a minor part of the population has had no education at all (6-8%). About 65% of the population has had secondary education. Unemployment rate of 10-12% is slightly on the high side given the development status of the region. About 80% of the population derives their income by working in the private sector and through self-employment. Permanent houses account for over 70% of the houses in the district. Over 70% of the houses are built with brick walls, tiled roof and having water-sealed toilets. About 55% of the houses have access to drinking water from a protected well situated within the premises or in close proximity. Close to 90% of the houses are owned by a member of the family. Brief information on the socio-economic conditions in the two districts is presented in Table 5.9.

Table 5.8- Socio-economic Conditions in Galle and Matara

Galle Matara Total population (2002) 990,539 761,236 Households (estimated) 198,108 152,247 Literacy rate (as % of population over 10 years age) 92.9% 89.8% % of population that had:

No schooling or attended only Grade 1 5.9% 8.0% Passed Grade 1-5 21.2% 22.8% Passed Grade 6-10 39.8% 41.0% Passed GCE (O/L) 20.5% 16.7% Passed GCE (A/L) 9.5% 8.3%

Unemployment rate 12.0% 10.5% Employment ector:

Government / semi-government service 17.8% 17.8% Private sector 45.4% 41.5% Self-employed /unpaid family worker 34.8% 39.0%

Source: Census of Population and Housing - 2001 Health Facilities: State sector is the main source of health care for the people in these districts. Curative services are provided through two teaching hospitals situated in Galle, and one Provincial hospital in Matara. There are 14 district hospitals, 13 peripheral units and 13 rural hospitals in the two districts. Well-organised preventive health services are provided through a network of institutions staffed by medical officers (MOH) and field staff. Infant mortality of 8-11 per 1000 live births recorded in the two districts is comparable to the national average. Maternal deaths show a similar pattern. Immunisation coverage of children at the age of five years is around 98%, and is above the national average. Education Facilities: Total number of schools operating in the two districts is 934. Over 85% of them are government schools. The average number of teachers per school is 24. The number of pupils per school varies from 440 to nearly 500 in the two districts. Pupil/teacher ration varies from 18 to 21. These indicators are comparable with the national averages. Physical or Cultural Heritage: There are no places of significant cultural heritage in the two districts.

5.3.2 Habarana-Valachchenai 132 kV Line There is an existing 132 kV single circuit transmission line between Habarana and Valachchenai. The new corridor will be alongside the existing corridor for a certain distance, and would deviate southwards to a route with lower environmental impacts. Environmental description presented in this section covers the districts of Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa, which are the administrative areas within which the proposed project elements will be sited. General Climate: The general climate that prevails in the two districts is characterised by hot and dry weather for most part of the year. Temperature varies from about 260 C in wetter months to around 32-330C during the drier months. The region’s rain climate follows the typical pattern that is found in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The region remains dry from March to September except for a short spell of rain in April. Heavy rains occur during the inter-monsoon months of October and November followed by Northeast monsoon rains from December to February. The mean annual rainfall varies from about 1500 mm in Polonnaruwa to 1800 mm in the Batticaloa area. Water Resources: Due to the existence of several large-scale irrigation tanks, there are adequate and well-distributed surface water sources in the Polonnaruwa area. The situation is less favourable in the Batticaloa area. Ground water is available in limited quantities in the Batticaloa area. Ecological Resources: The proposed transmission line from Habarana to Valachchenai is located in the central and eastern dry zone of the country. Agroecologically, the project area belongs to two zones, DL1 and DL2 dry lowlands, receives 1000-1500 and 1500-2000 mm annual rainfall, respectively, mainly during the inter monsoon and northeast monsoon seasons from October to February. The major soil types are Reddish Brown Earth, Low Humic Gley soil, Non Calcic Brown soil, Solodized Solonets and Regosols. Alluvial soils are found in the flood plains of Mahaweli River. The project area is found within the floristic region Dry and arid lowlands. The characteristic vegetation types are: tropical dry -mixed evergreen forests with Manilkara community, mixed community (Chloroxylon-Vitex-Berrya-Schleichera series), tropical thorn forests (Manilkara-Chloroxylon-Salvadora-Randia series), Damana and Villu grasslands, flood-plain wetlands, riverine and gallery forests. The existing and proposed transmission line cuts across several major habitat types such as degraded dry- mixed evergreen forest (e.g. in Minneriya National Park), scrublands including abandoned Chena (shifting cultivation) in different stages of succession, riverine forest especially on the banks of Mahaweli river and other streams, small patches of grasslands, villus, paddy fields, home gardens, forest plantations, road-side vegetation and a few human settlements. Dry-mixed evergreen forests found in the project area have been subjected to different degrees of natural and anthropological disturbances in the past. Therefore, an undisturbed forest and patches of forest that are in different successional stages- secondary forest, grasslands, scrublands etc. occur in the same area. The canopy of dry-mixed evergreen forest consist of tree species such as Manikara hexandra, Drypetes sepiaria, Choloxylon swietenia, Schleichera oleosa, Pterospermum suberifolium, Vitex altissima, Diospyros ebenum, D. affinis, Sapindus emarginatus, and Lepisanthus tetraphylla.

Scrub vegetation forms in places where Chena have been abandoned and the climax forest/dry-mixed evergreen forest are degraded. The degraded areas are not converted back to the closed -canopy forests through natural succession and these could be regarded as scrublands. Plant species such as Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia racemosa, Carissa spinarum, Catunaregam spinosa, Dichrostachys cinerea, Flueggea leucopyrus, Gmelina asiatica, Grewia orientalis, Hugonia mystax, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Lantana camara , Limonia acidissima, Memecylon umbellatum, Phyllanthus polyphyllus, Scutia myrtina, Syzygium cumini, Toddalia asiatica and Ziziphus oenoplia are recorded from the scrubland. The grasslands found in the project area are also established in land abandoned after shifting/Chena cultivation. Panicum miximum (Guinea grass) is the dominant grass species in the grassland with some scattered shrubs and isolated trees. Riverine forests are narrow strips of tall forests found along the banks of Mahaweli and other streams in the dry zone. Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk) is the most common riverine species. Other species such as Polyalthia longifolia, Madhuca longifolia, Diospyros malabaricum, Nauclea orientalis, Mangifera zeylanica, Nothopegia beddomei, Garcinia spicata, Diospyros ferrea, Diospyros montana, Diospyros ovalifolia, Homonoia riparia, Cynometra zeylanica, Pongamia pinnata, Hydnocarpus venenata, Barringtonia acutangula, and Vitex leucoxylon, are found in these forests. Villus are grasslands that associate with floodplains of the rivers and other water bodies such as shallow seasonal small tanks and long-abandoned paddy fields in the project area. Large tracts of villus occur in the Mahaweli floodplains. Plant species such as Iseilema laxum, Paspalidium flavum, Cynodon dactylon, Hygrophila schulli, Limnophyton obtusifolium, Crinum defixum, Sphaeranthus indicus, Cyperus spp. Fimbristylis spp., Calamus rotang, Caesalpinia bonduc, Asparagus racemosus, Phyllanthus reticulatus and Aeschynomene aspera have been recorded from villus. The common mammals recorded from the natural terrestrial habitats such as dry-mixed evergreen forests, scrublands, grasslands in the project area are: Macaca sinica (Sri Lanka toque monkey) – Endemic, Semnopithecus priam (Grey langur), Trachypithecus vetulus (Purple-faced leaf monkey) –(Endemic and Vulnerable- Red list category), Herpestes brachyurus (Brown mongoose), Herpestes edwardsii (Grey mongoose), Herpestes smithii (Black-tipped or Ruddy mongoose), Viverricula indica (Ring-tailed civet), Elephas maximus (Elephant) – (Vulnerable- Red list category), Axis axis (Spotted deer), Sus scrofa (Wild boar), Funambulus palmarum (Palm squirrel) Lepus nigricollis (Black-naped hare), Canis aureus (Jackal), Prionailurus rubiginosus (Rusty-spotted cat) – (Endangered- Red list category), Melursus ursinus (Sloth bear) – (Endangered- Red list category), Ratufa macroura (Giant squirrel), and Pteropus giganteus (Flying fox). The common bird species recorded in these habitats are: Accipiter badius (Shikra), Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin), Coracias benghalensis (Indian Roller), Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo), Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian Koel), Gallus lafayetii (Sri Lanka Junglefowl) – Endemic, Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), Nectarina asiatica (Purple Sunbird), Nectarina zeylonica (Purple-rumped Sunbird), Oriolus xanthornus (Black-hooded Oriole), Orthotomus sutorius (Common Tailorbird), Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeet), Pycnonotus cafer (Red-vented Bulbul), Pycnonotus luteolus (White-browed Bulbul), Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian Robin), Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent Eagle), Streptopelia chinensis (Spotted

Dove), Turdoides affinis (Yellow-billed Babbler), Phaenicophaeus viridirostris (Blue-faced Malkoha), Megalaima haemacephala (Coppersmith Barbet), and Megalaima rubricapilla (Crimson-fronted Barbet) – Endemic. The bird species found in paddy fields and associated aquatic habitats along the proposed transmission line are: Alcedo atthis (Common Kingfisher), Amaurornis phoenicurus (White-breasted Waterhen), Anastomus oscitans (Asian Openbill), Anthus rufulus (Paddyfield Pipit), Ardeola grayii (Pond Heron), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret), Casmerodius albus (Great Egret), Egretta garzetta (Little Egret), Halcyon capensis (Stork-billed Kingfisher), Halcyon smyrnensis (White-throated Kingfisher), Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt), Mesophoyx intermedia (Intermediate Egret), Threskiornis melanocephalus (Black-headed Ibis) and Vanellus indicus (Red-wattled Lapwing). Bird species such as Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin), Coracias benghalensis (Indian Roller), Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo), Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian Koel), Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), Nectarina asiatica (Purple Sunbird), Nectarina zeylonica (Purple-rumped Sunbird), Oriolus xanthornus (Black-hooded Oriole), Orthotomus sutorius (Common Tailorbird), Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeet), Pycnonotus cafer (Red-vented Bulbul), Pycnonotus luteolus (White-browed Bulbul), Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian Robin), Streptopelia chinensis (Spotted Dove), Turdoides affinis (Yellow-billed Babbler), Corvus splendens (House Crow), Passer domesticus (House Sparrow), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret) are recorded in home gardens, road side vegetation and other terrestrial habitats in the project area. Infrastructure Facilities: Polonnaruwa – Batticaloa region has a network of roads that lead to most interior parts of the two districts, though the quality of minor roads is not very high. Household electrification rates in the North Central province that encompasses Polonnaruwa district and Eastern province that encompasses Batticaloa district are 60% and 64% respectively. Monthly electricity consumption per household varies from 50-60 kWh per month in the two districts. Industrial Activities: Industrial activities are relatively low in both districts. Over 90% of the industrial establishments in Polonnaruwa district are small-scale industries that employ about a total of 1500 persons. Batticaloa has 6 comparatively larger industries that employ about 2150 persons. Land Use: Land use pattern in the two districts is characterised by substantial extent of paddy land interspersed with home gardens/human settlements and large tracts of Chena, scrubland and forest cover. Agriculture: Agriculture plays a major role in the two districts with paddy being the major crop grown in the region. Paddy production in the two districts account for about 17% of the national output. About 80-90% of the agricultural households operate less than 2 ha indicating that agriculture is a small-scale operation. This conforms to the general trend in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

Table 5.9- Agricultural Land Use in Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa

Polonnaruwa Batticaloa Number of agricultural households 57,672 20,628 % agricultural of households operating:

Less than 0.8 ha 32% 29% Less than 2 ha 88% 78% % households earning main income from agriculture 71% 74%

Source: Census of Agriculture 2002 Demographic Data: A complete database on demography and socio-economic conditions was not available in respect of the Batticaloa district, perhaps due to unstable political situation that prevailed in the district over the past decade. Population and the number of households in the Polonnaruwa district are 363,000 and 72,600 respectively. Population density (population per km2) in Polonnaruwa is 112, which is about a third of the national average. The literacy rate of 90% is close to the national average. Socio-economic Conditions: Only a minor part of the population has had no education at all (7%). About 70% of the population has had secondary education. Unemployment remains at 8% of the economically active population, which is somewhat lower than in most other regions in the rural dry zone. Over 85% of the population derives their income by working in the private sector and through self-employment. Permanent houses account for over 60% of the houses in the district. Close to 65% of the permanent houses are built with brick walls, tiled roof, cemented floors and having water-sealed toilets. About 55% of the houses have access to drinking water from a protected well situated within the premises or in close proximity. Over 90% of the houses are owned by a member of the family. Brief information on the socio-economic conditions in the two districts is presented in Table 5.11.

Table 5.10- Summaried Socio-economic Information on Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa

Polonnaruwa Batticaloa Total population (2002) 363,000

Not available

Households (estimated) 72,600 Literacy rate (as % of population over 10 years age) 90% % of population that had:

No schooling or attended only Grade 1 7% Passed Grade 1-5 28% Passed Grade 6-10 44% Passed GCE(O/L) 14% Passed GCE(A/L) 5%

Unemployment rate 8% Employment sector:

Government /semi-government service 13% Private sector 19% Self-employed /unpaid family worker 67%

Source: Census of Population and Housing - 2001

Health Facilities: State sector is the main source of health care for the people in these districts. Curative services are provided through one teaching hospital situated in Batticaloa, a Provincial hospital and the Base hospital in Polonnaruwa. There are 7 district hospitals, 4 peripheral units and 7 rural hospitals in the two districts. Well-organised preventive health services are provided through a network of institutions staffed by medical officers (MOH) and field staff. However, infant mortality of 19 per 1000 live births recorded in the two districts is high when compared with the national average. Maternal deaths show a similar pattern. Immunisation coverage of children at the age of five years varies from 48% in Batticaloa and 93% in Polonnaruwa. Education Facilities: Total number of schools operating in the district is 244. Over 95% of them are government schools. The average number of teachers per school and pupils per school are around 13 and 329. Pupil/teacher ratio is around 25. These indicators are typical of those found in rural areas in Sri Lanka. Physical or Cultural Heritage: Polonnaruwa is one of the ancient kingdoms in Sri Lanka. A large number of archaeological sites and several places of Buddhist worship are found in the district. Places of religious importance belonging to Hindu, Buddhist and Islam are found in both districts. However, the proposed line would not be crossing the major archaeological sites in Polonnaruwa.

5.3.3 Puttalam-Maho 132 kV Transmission Line Environmental description presented in this section covers the districts of Puttalam and Kurunegala, which are the administrative areas within which the proposed project elements will be sited. General Climate: General climate that prevails in the two districts is characterised by hot and dry weather for most part of the year. Temperature varies from about 260C in wetter months to around 32-330C during the drier months. The region’s rain climate follows the typical pattern that is found in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The region remains dry from March to September except for a short spell of rain in April. Heavy rains occur during the inter-monsoon months of October and November, followed by Northeast monsoon rains from December to February. Mean annual rainfall varies from about 1000 mm in Puttalam and 1500 mm in the Maho area. Topography and Soils: Topographically, the region is characterised by flat terrain interspersed with isolated hills. The whole project area lies in the flat and undulating terrain with soil types such as Reddish Brown Earths, Non Calcic Brown soils, Low Humic Gley soil, Red Yellow Latosols and Regosols. Water Resources: Surface water is scarce in the coastal region in the Puttalam district. The situation is, however, better in the inland parts of the Puttalam district and the northern part of Kurunegala district along the proposed line corridor, where there are many small to medium irrigation tanks. Ground water could be extracted in substantial quantities in the deep-seated limestone aquifers found in the coastal region in Puttalam district. A seasonal variation could be expected in the ground water table following the rainfall regime.

Ecological Resources: The proposed corridor for the transmission line is situated mainly in the dry zone and it ends in the Intermediate zone. The average annual rainfall of the proposed project area varies from 1000- 1500mm. Agro-ecologically, the transmission line is in three zones: DL3, DL1 (dry lowlands) and IL3 (intermediate lowlands) with an altitude below 300m. The whole project area lies in the flat and undulating terrain with soil types such as Reddish Brown Earths, Non Calcic Brown soils, Low Humic Gley soil, Red Yellow Latosols and Regosols. There are two floristic regions within the project area namely Dry and arid lowlands and Northern intermediate lowlands. The characteristic natural vegetation types and communities found in the Dry and arid lowlands are Tropical dry- mixed evergreen forests Manilkara Community, Mixed community (Chloroxylon-Vitex-Berrya-Schleichera series), Tropical thorn forests (Manilkara-Chloroxylon-Salvadora-Randia series), Damana and Villu grasslands, Flood-plain wetlands, Riverine and gallery forests. However, within the proposed corridor these natural formations are not found and represented by disturbed and man-made habitats such as secondary forests, scrublands, chena, plantations and paddy fields. Tropical moist semi-evergreen forest (Filicium-Euphoria-Artocarpus- Myristica series) is the dominant natural vegetation formation of Northern intermediate lowlands though this forest type has been decimated a long time ago. Dry-mixed evergreen forest is the most widespread matrix natural vegetation type in the dry zone. It is influenced by an average annual temperature of 27-280 C and an annual precipitation of 1300-1850 mm. Most of the precipitation is seasonal during the NE monsoon and the second inter-monsoon from October to February and have a marked dry spell during the southwest monsoon between May and August. Being an extensive forest type covering a vast area in the dry zone, this formation is influenced by variation in edaphic and hydrological factors. In the dry zone, secondary forests develop due to the degradation of dry-mixed evergreen forest. Their canopy is open at various levels due to the removal of a majority of the valuable timber trees that often causes an artificially elevated density of inferior and uneconomical timber species such as Drypetes sepiaria and the appearance of fast growing trees such as Grewia damine and Cassia fistula and even some exotic/naturalized trees such as Azadirachta indica. However, in a scrub that has developed by a process of succession in a denuded area, such as an abandoned chena, a high forest canopy does not exist at least at the early stages. The scrublands show different structure and physiognomy compared to the undisturbed and secondary forests. It consists of many thorny species but few seedlings and saplings of forest trees are also found among shrubs. Scrub vegetation forms in places where chena (shifting cultivation) have been abandoned or after large-scale natural disturbances. Soon after the chena plot is left fallow, various herbaceous pioneer species begin to appear followed by woody species in a series of succession leading to the appearance of a secondary forest. Species such as Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia racemosa, Carissa spinarum, Catunaregam spinosa, Dichrostachys cinerea, Flueggea leucopyrus, Gmelina asiatica, Grewia orientalis, Hugonia mystax, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Lantana camara , Limonia acidissima, Memecylon umbellatum, Phyllanthus polyphyllus, Scutia myrtina, Syzygium cumini, Toddalia asiatica and Ziziphus oenoplia recorded from the scrubland in the project area. The common mammals recorded from the terrestrial habitats such as dry-mixed evergreen forests, scrublands and road side vegetation in the project area are: Macaca sinica (Sri Lanka toque monkey) – Endemic, Semnopithecus priam (Grey langur), Trachypithecus vetulus (Purple-

faced leaf monkey) –(Endemic and Vulnerable- Red list category), Herpestes brachyurus (Brown mongoose), Herpestes edwardsii (Grey mongoose), Herpestes smithii (Black-tipped or Ruddy mongoose), Viverricula indica (Ring-tailed civet), Elephas maximus (Elephant) – (Vulnerable- Red list category), Axis axis (Spotted deer), Sus scrofa (Wild boar), Funambulus palmarum (Palm squirrel), Lepus nigricollis (Black-naped hare), Canis aureus (Jackal), Ratufa macroura (Giant squirrel), and Pteropus giganteus (Flying fox). The common bird species recorded in these habitats are: Accipiter badius (Shikra), Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin), Coracias benghalensis (Indian Roller), Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo), Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian Koel), Gallus lafayetii (Sri Lanka Junglefowl) – Endemic, Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), and Nectarina asiatica (Purple Sunbird). The bird species found in paddy fields and associated aquatic habitats along the proposed transmission line are: Alcedo atthis (Common Kingfisher), Amaurornis phoenicurus (White-breasted Waterhen), Anastomus oscitans (Asian Openbill), Anthus rufulus (Paddyfield Pipit), Ardeola grayii (Pond Heron), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret), Casmerodius albus (Great Egret), Egretta garzetta (Little Egret), Halcyon capensis (Stork-billed Kingfisher), Halcyon smyrnensis (White-throated Kingfisher), Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt), Mesophoyx intermedia (Intermediate Egret), Threskiornis melanocephalus (Black-headed Ibis) and Vanellus indicus (Red-wattled Lapwing). Bird species such as Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin), Coracias benghalensis (Indian Roller), Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo, Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), Oriolus xanthornus (Black-hooded Oriole), Orthotomus sutorius (Common Tailorbird), Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeet), Pycnonotus cafer (Red-vented Bulbul), Pycnonotus luteolus (White-browed Bulbul), Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian Robin), Streptopelia chinensis (Spotted Dove), Turdoides affinis (Yellow-billed Babbler), are recorded in home gardens, road side vegetation and other terrestrial habitats in the project area. Infrastructure Facilities: Puttalam–Kurunegala region has a network of roads that leads to most interior parts of the two districts though most of them are village roads. A large number of village irrigation tanks and a few medium-scale tanks serve the small-scale paddy cultivation in the region. Household electrification rate in the North Western province that encompasses the two districts is 66%. Monthly electricity consumption per household is 60kWh. However, it is likely that the local level household electrification rates and household consumption at the level of DS divisions are below the provincial level rates. Health Facilities: State sector is the main source of health care for the people in these districts. Curative services are provided through one teaching hospital situated in the Kurunegala town and 2 base hospitals in each district. Number of district, peripheral and rural hospitals in the two districts are 20, 16 and 17 respectively. Well-organised preventive

health services are provided through a network of institutions staffed by medical officers (MOH) and field staff. Infant mortality per 1000 live births is 14 in the Kurunegala district and 6 in Puttalam district. Maternal deaths of per 100,000 live births are 19 in Kurunegala and 8 in Puttalam. Immunisation coverage of children at the age of five years is around 95%, which is higher than the national average. Industrial Activities: Industry employs a relatively small part of the population in both districts. Number of industrial establishments in the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts is 807 and 892, respectively. Persons employed in the sector are 11,381 and 18,294 in Puttalam and Kurunegala districts, respectively. Majority of them are small-scale industries that employ less than 25 persons per establishment. Some information on the industrial sector is presented in Table 5.5. Land Use: Land use pattern in the two districts is characterised by substantial extent of coconut and paddy land interspersed with home gardens/human settlements and large tracts of Chena land. The proportion of land under paddy and coconut is highest in the Kurunegala district, while coconut estates, Chena land and dry zone forest occupy large parts of the Puttalam district. Agriculture: As compared to other areas in the dry zone, agriculture plays a relatively modest role in the two districts. Only 43% of the households are classified as “agricultural households” in Puttalam, whereas in Kurunegala, the proportion of agricultural households is 76%. Nearly 90% of the agricultural households operate less than 2 ha indicating that agriculture is a small-scale operation. This conforms to the general trend in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

Table 5.11- Details of Agricultural Activities Along the Puttalam-Maho Line

Puttalam Kurunegala Number of agricultural households 66,965 245,571 Agricultural households as % of total households 43% 76% % Agricultural households operating:

Less than 0.8 ha 54% 61% 0.8-2 ha 34% 30%

Households earning main income from agriculture 40% 46% Source: Census of Agriculture 2002

Demographic Data: In terms of demographic trends the two districts are very similar. The total population and the number of households in the two districts are 2,157,711 and 479,491 respectively. Household size of 4.5 persons per household is slightly below the national average. Population density (population per km2) in Puttalam and Kurunegala are 246 and 316 respectively. These are close to the national average of 300. Literacy rate of 90% is close to the national average. Socio-economic Conditions: Over 90% of the population in the two districts is classified as “rural and working in estates”. Only a minor part of the population has had no education at all (6%). About 70% of the population in Puttalam has had secondary education whereas it is 60% in Kurunegala. Unemployment in the two districts remains around 7% of the economically active population, which is somewhat lower than in most other regions in the

rural dry zone. Over 80% of the population derives their income by working in the private sector and through self-employment. Permanent houses account for over 60% of the houses in the two districts. Almost the same proportion of the houses is built with brick walls, tiled roof, cemented floors and having water-sealed toilets. Majority of the houses have access to drinking water from a protected well situated within the premises or in close proximity. Over 80% of the houses are owned by a member of the family. Brief information on the socio-economic conditions in the two districts is presented in Table 5.6. Health Facilities: Sri Lanka has a well-organised island wide public health system that is rated as among the best in the Asian region. This has enabled to maintain the infant mortality and maternal deaths at a very low level. Education Facilities: Total number of schools operating in the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts is 352 and 959 respectively. Over 95% of these are government schools. About 25% of these schools conduct classes from year 1 to 13. Average number of teachers per school and pupils per school are around 20 and 350 in the two districts. Pupil/teacher ratio is around 20. These indicators are very close to the national averages. Physical or Cultural Heritage: Except for village based Buddhist temples, Churches, Kovils and Mosques, there are no specific sites of any significant religious or cultural value in the two districts, which are relevant to the route of the Puttalam-Maho line.

Table 5.12- Socio-economic Conditions in Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts

Puttalam District

Kurunegala District

Total population (2001) 705,342 1,452,369 Urban population 9.2% 2.4% Rural and estate population 90.8% 97.6% Households (estimated) 156,743 322,749 Literacy rate (as % of population over 10 years age) 90.9% 91.9% % of population that had:

No schooling or attended only Grade 1 6.0% 6.2% Passed Grade 1-5 26.2% 21.8% Passed Grade 6-10 43.8% 41.1% Passed GCE(O/L) 14.4% 18.3% Passed GCE(A/L) 6.2% 8.9%

Unemployment rate 7.0% 8.0% Employment sector:

Government /semi-government service 10.5% 16.0% Private sector 52.8% 35.1% Self-employed /unpaid family worker 36.7% 48.9%

Source: Census of Population and Housing 2001

5.3.4 Ukuwela-Pallekelle 132 kV Transmission Line

Environmental description presented in this section covers the Kandy district, which is the administrative area crossed by about 95% of the proposed corridor.

General Climate: Kandy district generally experiences a comparatively mild climate with a mean annual temperature of about 250 C. The climate becomes cooler in hilly parts of the district. Given the complex topography of the mountainous region, the annual rainfall within the district varies from 2000 to 3200 mm. Annual rainfall rhythm is, however, similar across the district with heavy rains occurring during the inter-monsoon months and the north-east monsoon period. Water Resources: Primary sources of surface water in the district are the small streams flowing down from the mountain ranges that surround the district and the Mahaweli river. Pressure on these resources is high due to the high population density in the district. Groundwater availability is highly site-specific and is also heavily used for domestic purposes. Ecological Resources: The proposed Ukuwela- Pallekele transmission line is located in the Intermediate zone of the country that experiences an annual rainfall of 1500- 2000mm. Agro-ecologically, this area is classified as IM3 – the Intermediate Midlands with altitude varying from 300 to 900 m. This area shows steeply dissected, hilly and rolling topography. The common soil types in the area are Immature Brown loams, Reddish Brown Latasolic and Reddish Brown Earths. The project area belongs to the Floristic region XI, Kandy and Upper Mahaweli, and the characteristic vegetation types are Tropical wet evergreen forests and Humid zone dry patana grasslands. The proposed line traverses mainly through roadside vegetation, home gardens, patches of paddy fields and semi - urban areas. It will not cut across any natural undisturbed habitats or protected areas such as National Parks, Sanctuaries or any other nature reserves in the area. The undisturbed old-growth wet evergreen forests are not found within the project area although this is the climax vegetation expected to be seen in floristic region XI. The common mammals species found in the semi- urban areas, home gardens and road side vegetation in the project area are: Macaca sinica (Sri Lanka toque monkey) – Endemic species, Herpestes brachyurus (Brown mongoose), Herpestes smithii (Black-tipped or Ruddy mongoose), Sus scrofa (Wild boar), Funambulus palmarum (Palm squirrel), Lepus nigricollis (Black-naped hare) and Pteropus giganteus (Flying fox). Bird species such as Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Centropus sinensis (Greater Coucal), Columba livia (Rock Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oriental Magpie Robin) Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow), Corvus splendens (House Crow), Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Dicrurus caerulescens (White-bellied Drongo), Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian Koel), Gallus lafayetii (Sri Lanka Junglefowl) – Endemic species, Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite), Megalaima zeylanica (Brown-headed Barbet), Merops orientalis (Green Bee-eater), Nectarina asiatica (Purple Sunbird), Nectarina zeylonica (Purple-rumped Sunbird), Oriolus xanthornus (Black-hooded Oriole), Orthotomus sutorius (Common Tailorbird), Passer domesticus (House Sparrow), Pycnonotus cafer (Red-vented Bulbul), Pycnonotus luteolus (White-browed Bulbul), Streptopelia chinensis (Spotted Dove), and Turdoides affinis (Yellow-billed Babbler) recorded from the project area. Infrastructure Facilities: Kandy district has an extensive network of roads that leads to most interior parts of the district. The city of Kandy is also served by a regular train service that links the city with major destinations in the hill country and lowland regions in the northern, western and eastern parts. Household electrification rate in the Central province that

encompasses the district of Kandy has reached 70%. Provincial level average monthly electricity consumption per household is 55 kWh. It is reasonable to expect that the electrification rate and household consumption may be above the provincial average in urban and semi-urban areas and lower in the outskirts. Industrial Activities: Kandy district ranks third in the island in terms of the number of industrial establishments. Of the total number of 1699 industrial establishment, 92% belong to the category of small-scale industries that employ less than 25 persons per establishment. The sector employs 28,474 persons of which 50% is employed in the small-scale sector. Land Use: Land use pattern in the district is characterised by large-scale tea plantations in the hilly areas, small tracts of paddy fields among the village settlements, small-scale rubber plantations and natural forest cover mostly found in the Knuckles mountain range. Agriculture: Tea and paddy account for over 60% of the land under agriculture in the Kandy district. Other crops that are grown in significant quantities include pepper, cloves and fruits. As in other parts of the country, agriculture is a small-scale operation in the district except for large-scale commercial tea plantations. Only 40% of the households refer to agriculture as the source of highest income, which seems to indicate that a sizeable population is also engaged in a variety of non-agriculture-related activities such as small-scale industries, commercial activities, and government and private sector employment. Demographic Data: Population and the number of households in the district are 1,272,463 and 254,493 respectively. Population density (population per km2) in the district is over 600, which is double the national average. Literacy rate of 90% is close to the national average. Socio-economic Conditions: Only 7% of the population has had no education at all. About 60% of the population has had secondary education. Unemployment rate of 10% is slightly on the high side given the development status of the region. About 74% of the population derives their income by working in the private sector and through self-employment. Permanent houses account for over 70% of the houses in the district. Close to 70% of the houses are built with tiled roof and cement floors and have water-sealed toilets. About 40% of the houses have access to pipe-borne water supply and 35% get drinking water from a protected well situated within the premises or in close proximity. Close to 80% of the houses are owned by a member of the family. Brief information on the socio-economic conditions in the two districts is presented in Table 5.14. Health Facilities: State sector is the main source of health care for the people in these districts. Curative services are provided through two teaching hospitals situated in the Kandy city, 2 base hospitals, 13 district hospitals, 7 peripheral units and 26 rural hospitals. Well-organised preventive health services are provided through a network of institutions staffed by medical officers (MOH) and field staff. Infant mortality of 15 per 1000 live births recorded in the district is slightly higher than the national average. Maternal deaths of 8 per 100,000 live births, is less than half the national average. Immunisation coverage of children at the age of five years is around 86% is also comparable with the national average. Education Facilities: Total number of schools operating in the district is 719 of which 647 are government schools. Average number of teachers per school and pupils per school are around 19 and 400 respectively. Pupil/teacher ratio is around 21. These indicators are very close to the national averages.

Table 5.13- Socio-economic Conditions in the Kandy District

Kandy Total population (2002) 1,272,463 Households (estimated) 254,493 Literacy rate (as % of population over 10 years age) 91% % of population that had:

No schooling or attended only Grade 1 6.9% Passed Grade 1-5 21.4% Passed Grade 6-10 39.0% Passed GCE(O/L) 19.2% Passed GCE(A/L) 9.8%

Unemployment rate (unemployed as % of economically active) 9.8% Employment sector:

Government /semi-government service 23.2% Private sector 45.2% Self-employed /unpaid family worker 29.5%

Source: Census of Population and Housing 2001 Physical or Cultural Heritage: Kandy is the location of the last Sinhala kingdom that fell to British invaders in 1815. The palace complex including the Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) situated in the heart of the Kandy city is in a well-preserved state. Temple of Tooth is a place of great religious significance among the Buddhists. There are several Buddhist temples in the city suburbs that also display traditional Kandyan arts and crafts.

5.3.5 Proposed In and Out Connection at Naula This short in an out connection (0.5Km only)is located adjacent to proposed Naula GS, and the description of Environment for the same is covered under Naula Grid Substation in Clause 5.1.

6 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES

In the identification of the potential environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures, this subproject is divided into two sections: the first section deals with the eight GSs to be augmented and the three new GSs to be built, and the second section deals with the three new transmission lines. The identification of potential impacts follows the ADB guidelines for rapid environmental assessment checklist.

6.1 Grid Substations All the eight grid substations to be augmented and included in the subproject would be located within the available space inside the existing grid substations. The three new GSs will be located in land acquired from the Government or semi-Government agencies, with no direct impacts on the population or involuntary resettlement. The potential impacts of grid substations and mitigation measures are described in general in this section.

6.1.1 Project Siting All the eight GSs to be augmented are located within the existing premises, without additional land being dedicated. Therefore, while this is the best option to locate the additional facilities to expand the grid substation capacity, there are no specific environmental impacts owing to the project siting. Furthermore, none of these eight grid substations are located near environmentally sensitive areas such as cultural sites, protected areas, buffer zones, mangroves and forest reserves. The three new GSs to be built will be located in a state-owned land, which will be vested with CEB. Here too, there no specific environmental concerns associated with the siting as no relocation of people or significant clearing of vegetation would be involved. The Naula GS site adjoins a forest reserve, but there would be no clearing of the forest or any other impacts, as the land allocated is already clear of any major vegetation and presently covered with shrubs and some debris.

6.1.2 Potential Environmental Impacts of GSs and Mitigatory Measures Environmentally Sensitive Areas: None of the grid substations will encroach into any protected area or other environmentally sensitive areas. There will be no impacts on the surface water hydrology, as the project will not cross any waterways. At the new Naula GS site, a retaining wall will be built bordering a stream that adjoins the land earmarked for the GS. There will be no hindrance to the flow in the stream either during construction or during operation. Storm Water: All existing grid substations are already provided with storm water drainage through covered surface drains, and these drains already discharge storm water into pre-existing public drainage systems. In most locations, these drains are located by the roadside, and in a few grid substations, the storm water is released to already existing waterways in adjacent low-lying areas, based on the topography of the site. The specific location of discharge of storm water for each existing GS was stated in a previous section of this report. There will be no additional impacts or additional releases of storm water from any of eight grid substations to be augmented. The three new GSs will be built with a standard storm water collection system with surface drains, which will discharge into a drain designated by the local authority. Water Quality: There will be no spillage of chemicals, transformer oil or other liquids, which have the potential to pollute surface water resources, during regular operation of all the GSs. In an emergency situation such as a fire, transformer oil may spill outside or would be released by the GS staff or fire fighters, as a precautionary measure, and this possible spillage in either small quantities or in large quantities, would be fully contained within the transformer oil containment pit. The transformer oil containment pit is designed to hold the entire quantity of transformer oil. Possible run-off of filling material (gravel) during construction is possible in the new Naula GS where substantial filling and compacting of the substation site is required. Precautionary measures taken will include covered piling of gravel and layer-by-layer compaction, so that loose gravel on site that may run-off under heavy rain at any given time will be minimised.

Air Pollution: There will be no operations such as rock crushing during construction. There are no emissions during regular operation of the grid substations. As such, there will be no air pollution caused by any of the activities in GSs of this subproject. Noise and Vibration: During civil works on the sites, the possible sources of noise are limited to the compacting machines operating on site, and this requirement will be limited to the new Naula GS (filling and compacting). These machines are small and would be of the type commonly used in public buildings and on road works, and hence their noise levels would be within acceptable limits. Working hours will follow the Sri Lanka noise regulations. There will be no sources of noise from any other GS apart from Matara and Naula, as all civil works at those sites would be simple foundations not involving pile driving or the use of other heavy construction machinery. The proposed addition of one line bay at the existing Puttalam GS (to connect the new Puttalam-Maho line) involves only an extension to the existing substation. Therefore, it is not foreseen that this activity would lead to significant adverse impacts on the environment in the long run. During the operation of all the GSs, the only source of noise would be power frequency vibration emanating from power transformers. Transformer noise levels comply with IEC standards, and are measured as a type test in accordance with IEC 60551. The acceptable noise level at a power transformer is 83db (A). As a further measure to improve safety and noise attenuation, all equipment in a GS is located at least 5 m away from the boundary fence, providing adequate space for noise attenuation. Sri Lanka’s noise regulations published in Government Gazette dated 21st May 1996, under the Environment Act No. 47 of 1980, applicable to the locations of the GSs are the following: During construction : Day time 75 db(A), night time 50 db(A) During operation : Low noise areas- Day time 55 db(A), night time 45 db(A) Medium noise areas Day time 63 db(A), night time 50 db(A) Silent Zones Day time 50 db(A), night time 45 db(A) All the GS to be augmented are located either in low noise areas (Pradeshiya Sabha areas) or in medium noise zones (municipal or urban council areas). None of the GSs would be located in close proximity to schools or offices, which are considered to be silent zones. Noise at the perimeter of each GS would be maintained at the stipulated levels, and additional precautions would be taken to further dampen the noise impacts by (a) building sound barriers and (b) growing trees with thick foliage in the perimeter of the substations. Social Conflicts owing to use of Roads During Construction: Out of the eight GSs to be augmented, Veyangoda has direct access from a C class road, which is classified as a provincial highway. Horana is located within a designated industrial zone, and access to the site does not use any minor roads in the area. Matara is located along a municipal road. Ampara, Habarana, Kurunegala and Panadura GSs are reached along local access roads, for lengths between 100m and 1 km. The level of construction activity at the substations would be minimal, owing to standard foundation arrangements with no requirements for pile

foundations and simple construction and erection methods to be used. In general, care will be taken to transport building material only in covered trucks, which is a legal requirement in Sri Lanka and to take adequate precautions against possible damage to local roads. Any damages caused to the movement of trucks during the transport of material to the site will be repaired by the contractor, under the direct supervision by CEB. Out of the three new GSs, Pallekelle is located within a developed industrial zone and served by an internal road of the zone. Maho site is located alongside the Maho-Nikeweratiya Road, a B class road classified as a national highway. Significant road development is required at Naula (1 km). This road development will not acquire additional land, but would conduct the development within the existing right-of-way. Health Hazards: There would be no health hazards either during construction or during operation. Exposure to electromagnetic fields during construction and operation will be negligible as the required electrical clearance is maintained between high voltage equipment and the areas accessible by construction workers and maintenance staff. There will be no impacts on the public as significant clearances in excess of the minimum stipulated distances are maintained at all times. Risks of Accidents: Accidents including fire, explosions, electric shocks, accidents to project staff and/or general public will be minimised by adopting the following measures. • Selection of project equipment (circuit breakers, insulators etc.) incorporated with latest

technology in safety aspects. • Awareness programmes on safety in workplace/site for construction and operational

staff • Provision of adequate water supply and sanitation facilities for construction camps • Provision of proper warning signs, tapes and barriers where appropriate during

construction and energizing activities of the project. Waste Disposal and Removal: The project would not generate any waste liquids or solids during regular operation. However, during construction, small quantities of waste material would be generated, mostly consisting of packing material. Minor alternations to be made to the control buildings at some GSs would generate debris, mostly consisting of used building material (masonry, timber and roofing material). Guidance will be sought from each respective local authority (Pradeshiya Sabha, Urban or Municipal council) about the dumping areas designated for debris from building sites. Any scrap metal from the augmented GSs will be sold to re-cycling agents, while other construction waste (such as glass and plastic, which would be in very small quantities, if any) would be disposed of as instructed by the respective local authorities. The other possible waste generation is when transformer oils are changed or filtered. Liquid wastes generated in such processes will be taken back to a central location where all CEB waste transformer oils are collected and then disposed of in a method approved by the Central Environmental Authority.

6.1.3 Potential Environmental Enhancement Measures All the eight GSs are to be augmented within the available space. Wherever possible, subject to limitations to maintaining safety clearances, CEB will establish a buffer zone between the

grid substations and adjacent privately owned properties, if space is available within the GS itself. Trees will be planted to minimise the visual impacts of the GSs. Care will be taken to select tree species that would not hamper future maintenance requirements or compromises safety in the high voltage equipment and lines prevailing around the GSs.

6.2 Transmission Lines

6.2.1 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigatory Measures This section highlights the potential adverse environmental impacts due to the construction of the proposed 132 kV transmission line and proposes mitigation measures for those impacts that seem significant. Preliminary route selection of the proposed transmission line was based on the topographic sheets. Site visits were also made to verify the land use pattern presented in the maps. The following principles were adopted when selecting the optimum route:

• Minimise disturbance to human settlements • Avoid forest and wildlife reserves. Where it is not possible to avoid the line to

traverse through sanctuaries, national parks, reserve forests, etc., minimise the route length through such areas

• Avoid monuments of cultural or historical importance • Minimise impacts to any social infrastructure and services such as playgrounds,

schools and hospitals. • Avoid coconut, rubber and other plantations with high grown trees • Route the line through grasslands, paddy fields, tea, cinnamon, chena, shrub and

marshes as much as possible to minimise damage to the tree cover, particularly in areas with tall trees.

• Maximum use of the existing road network and access roads (particularly important when deciding on tower locations)

Every effort was made to comply with the above criteria but comprises were unavoidable in certain situations. Likely summary of impacts on any sanctuary, forest and wildlife reserve are:

• Loss of mature trees: the 27m-wide line corridor needs to be cleared of trees over 3 m in height as well as large trees adjacent to the corridor

• Loss of habitat for rare birds if they are nesting on such trees • Disturbance to the soil due to uprooting of trees leading to soil erosion • Disturbing the wildlife habitat during the construction phase, mainly due to noise

arising from vehicle traffic Other Sections of the Line Right-of Way: As stipulated in the Electricity Act, compensation for removed or pruned trees will be paid at a fair market rate to the respective land owners based on tree type, its’ age and expected income from the tree, as per the assessment made by the Divisional Secretary (DS). Cleared vegetation and any timber will be made available to the owner for his own use.

Along the right-of-way of the transmission line, no new buildings above the ground floor would be allowed. However, if there are multi-storey buildings in the line route already in place or approved by the Local Authority for construction, the design of the transmission line and the towers will be adjusted to ensure that the stipulated safety clearances will be maintained with such buildings. Impacts on Seasonal Agriculture: Action will be taken to plan the timing of construction activities including transportation of equipment and tower parts on agricultural lands to avoid any disturbances/damages of field crops, to the maximum practicable extent. However, when this cannot be achieved and if an agricultural land has to be crossed during a period when crops are cultivated, a crop disturbance allowance will be paid to the respective landowners to compensate for the loss affected, as per the assessment of the DS. Earthworks and Soil Erosion: Earthworks associated with tower construction will be limited to excavation for four sunken concrete footings, and thus the soil disturbance will be confined to the immediate tower base. When the towers are located in sloping terrains (very few in this case), limited cutting and filling will also be required for the tower foundations and access tracks. Best engineering practices would be adopted in the design and construction of the above in order to minimise erosion risks. Appropriate recommendations will be incorporated in contract documentation and will be monitored by CEB during construction. Techniques will include appraisal of any special erosion or slope stability risks during design, minimising clearing of vegetation and turfing and/or re-vegetating to stabilise slopes on completion, and avoidance of earthworks on erosion-prone areas during the rainy season. Monitoring of erosion mitigation measures will be incorporated in the monitoring programme. Temporary Access Roads: Although the line construction will rely on many existing roads, certain new access roads/tracks may be built to reach tower locations, if it is absolutely necessary. Generally, maximum efforts will be made to manually transport equipment in knocked-down state to tower locations, to avoid building new access roads. Building materials to such locations would also be hand-carried wherever possible. These 3-4 m wide temporary access roads will be sited carefully to minimise the disruptions to paddy farming operations. These temporary access roads will be completely removed after the construction, unless the DS makes a special request to retain them on public interest for future use. Noise and Vibrations: Noise and vibrations generated by construction activities will be for a short duration at each tower footing along the transmission line route. Impacts will be minimised by restricting construction activities to daytime. The noise levels at the boundary of substations will be maintained to comply with National Environmental (Noise Control) regulation No.1 of 1996. Noise regulations were described in an earlier section of this IEE report. Health and Safety: Accidents to project staff and/or general public will be minimised by adopting following measures.

• Selection of project equipment incorporated with latest technology in safety aspects. • Awareness programmes on safety in workplace/site for construction and operational

staff • Provision of proper warning signs, tapes and barriers where appropriate during

construction and energising activities of the project.

Comparison of alternatives to each new line corridor, and mitigatory measures specific to each line are given in the sections below.

6.2.2 Galle-Matara 132 kV Transmission Line Both Galle and Matara are grid substations where the national 132 kV grid is available. There is no existing corridor between Galle and Matara that can be used to locate the new 132 kV line.

6.2.2.1 Alternative Routes CEB has identified three optional routes for the new transmission corridor to be developed under this subproject. These three options are shown in Figure 6.1. The land-use patterns along the optional routes are compared in Table 6.1.

Figure 6.1- Optional Routes for the Galle-Matara Transmission Corridor

Table 6.1- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Galle-Matara

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Comments Approximate line length (km) 35.9 35.4 34.0 Estimates on map-based routing Land use type (% of line length)

Paddy field 58.1 61.6 55.7 Paddy cultivation can continue in the corridor. Favourable owing to minimum long-term disturbance to farming

Marsh/Swamp 5.0 4.6 4.6 Tea 1.7 1.4 - Coconut 2.8 1.7 3.6 Other cultivations 6.7 0.7 4.6 Home garden 20.0 20.4 26.6 May have dispersed houses Shrub 3.7 3.6 - Chena-type land (rotating

agriculture, a few isolated tall trees)

Village settlements 2.0 6.0 4.9 Home garden with houses marked in the map. It is required to minimise the distance traversed within populated areas, to minimise the land-use restrictions and disturbance to private lands and houses.

River crossings Nos. 3 1 1 River crossings have to be minimised for technical reasons, and to prevent location of transmission towers on river embankments

Road crossings Nos. 20 21 23 Road crossings have to be minimised, to ensure minimum land-use restrictions caused by the line, because housing density is high near national highways

Based on the above screening, it was decided to select Option 1, which has the lowest impact on home gardens, in spite of the fact that it is about 1.9 km longer than the shortest distance identified for option 3.

6.2.2.2 Ecological Impacts The consumption of land, and the consequent loss and fragmentation of natural or semi- natural habitats are inherent in any development project. When the transmission line intersects habitat, the area occupied by the line itself minimize the area available for populations of flora and fauna. Habitats or ecosystems are characterized by complex, interdependent relations between component species and their physical environment, and the integrity of the habitat relies on the maintenance of those interactions. By fragmenting the habitat for construction of transmission line affects habitat’s stability and health. Development activities tend to fragment an area into ecologically unstable units making them vulnerable to invasions and degradation and finally a loss of habitat. The impact on individuals and populations of terrestrial flora and fauna found in all the habitats along the transmission line would be minimal as these comprise common species with very low endemicity with fewer being regarded as threatened. The number of rare and

endangered flora and fauna recorded from this area is very few. All threatened plants and animal species recorded from the habitats in and surroundings the trace are found in other geographic locations in the country. Therefore, impact on these species due to the activities (construction and operational phases) of the project would be marginal. There would not be any direct impacts on protected areas since the proposed project does not cut across any National Park or a Sanctuary.

6.2.2.3 Mitigation of Impacts The proposed project area harbours predominantly common species of flora and fauna and species-specific mitigatory measures are not proposed. The trace cuts across a number of habitats that are influenced by man. Natural undisturbed habitats/ ecosystems are not fond along the trace and therefore site-specific mitigatory measures are not important.

6.2.3 Habarana-Valachchenai 132 Transmission Line Both Habarana and Valachchenai are grid substations where the national 132 kV grid is available. There is an existing corridor between Habarana and Valachchenai that can considered to locate the new 132 kV line. However, this study examined three alternatives.


Figure 6.2- Alternatives Routes for the Habarana - Valachchenai Transmission Corridor

Table 6.2- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Habarana-Valachchenai



Marsh/Swamp 1.4 1.7 1.7 Grass lands 2.5 1.7 1.9 Chena 1.3 1.5 2.0 Other cultivations 2.3 0.3 2.7 Home garden 5.5 5.0 5.0 May have dispersed houses Shrub 38.8 20.2 20.7 Chena-type land (rotating


Forest 11.0 34.3 29.8 Strict National

Reserve (forest/wildlife)

- 20.3 17.6

Sanctuary - - Village settlements 4.2 1.8 3.0 Home garden with houses

marked in the map. It is required to minimise the distance traversed within populated areas, to minimise the land-use restrictions and disturbance to private lands and houses.

Historic & Cultural Sites

0.3

Tanks/

0.2 0.4 0.4

Abandoned Tanks Rock 0.3 0.3 River crossings Nos. 7 4 1 River crossings have to be

minimised for technical reasons, and to prevent location of transmission towers on river embankments

Road crossings Nos. 16 8 13 Road crossings have to be minimised, to ensure minimum land-use restrictions caused by the line, because housing density is high near national highways

Railway crossings Nos. 3 3 3 Based on the above screening, it was decided to select Option 1, which has the lowest impact on forests and no traverse through the strict natural reserve, in spite of the fact that it is about 4.9 km longer than the shortest distance identified for option 3.

6.2.3.2 Impacts on Habitats/Ecosystem The fragmentation of natural or semi- natural habitats are inherent in any development project. When the transmission line intersects habitats, the area occupied by the line itself minimizes the area available for populations of flora and fauna. Habitats or ecosystems are characterized by complex, interdependent relations between component species and their physical environment, and the integrity of the habitat relies on the maintenance of those interactions. The fragmentation affects habitat’s stability and health. Aquatic ecosystems such as villus, marshes, rivers, streams, ponds/tanks are habitats for important food sources and characterized by a richness of flora and fauna and high productivity. In general, these habitats are important because of their role in regulating the flow in waterways, in filtering water, and in serving as habitats for migratory birds. The impact on individuals and populations of terrestrial flora and fauna found in all the habitats along the trace would be minimal as these comprise many common species with very low endemicity with fewer being regarded as threatened. Also mammals and other groups of animals can utilize the land occupied by the transmission line during the operational phase. The information available for this area revealed that there are very few species of fauna and flora belong to endemic and threatened categories. All threatened plants and animal species recorded from the habitats in and surroundings the trace are found in other geographic locations in the country. Therefore, impact on these species due to the activities (construction and operational phases) of the project would be marginal. During the construction phase there would be some minor impacts on elephants due to the obstructions of migratory paths around Minneriya and Flood Plains Nations Parks. The proposed and existing transmission lines traverse through Minneriya National Park. The construction of proposed line along the existing line would involves clearing of habitats of 17 m corridor and this would results more fragmentation of habitats within the National Park.

6.2.3.3 Mitigatory Measures The corridor identified for the construction of transmission line could avoid ecologically important habitats such as undisturbed old - growth natural forest (high forest), wildlife/animal corridors and natural aquatic habitats (marshes, swamps) as these are considered to be ecologically more sensitive compared to other habitats. The proposed project area harbours predominantly common species of flora and fauna and species-specific mitigatory measures are not proposed. However, impacts on habitats, especially aquatic habitats such as villus and associated habitats, should be marginal during the construction phase. Environmental specifications for contractors would cover management of work forces (control of poaching and firewood collection), machinery (speed, noise, and traffic), and prevention of erosion and contamination during construction. Laws pertaining to plant and

animal species, protected areas, hunting, fishing, and forestry should be used where available and developed as a more permanent means of impact minimization.

6.2.3.4 Comparison of Traces The deviation from the existing transmission line begins after crossing the Mahaweli. The proposed trace travels somewhat parallel to the main road and then it crosses the road and traverse through mainly scrublands and paddy field avoiding developed and semi-urban areas. The length of the trace is shorter than the existing line and therefore impacts on habitats would be less.

6.2.4 Puttalam-Maho 132 Transmission Line Puttalam GS is existing whereas Maho is a new GS to be built under this subproject. There is no existing corridor between Puttalam and Maho that can considered to locate the new 132 kV line. This study examined three alternatives for the new corridor.


Figure 6.3- Optional Routes for the Transmission Corridor Between Puttalam and Maho

Table 6.3- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Puttalam – Maho



Grass lands 4.6 4.7 5.1 Chena 29.5 28.0 34.5 Coconut 0.4 0.4 - Other cultivations 2.1 2.2 5.0 Home garden 26.0 29.9 25.0 May have dispersed houses Shrub 1.0 - 1.4 Chena-type land (rotating


Village settlements 0.5 4.7 2.0 Home garden with houses marked in the map. It is required to minimise the distance traversed within populated areas, to minimise the land-use restrictions and disturbance to private lands and houses.

Tanks/ 2.0 0.7 Abandoned Tanks Rock 0.2 Religious Premises Nos. 1.0 Road crossings Nos. 8 7 8.0 Road crossings have to be

minimised, to ensure minimum land-use restrictions caused by the line, because housing density is high near national highways

Based on the above screening, it was decided to select Option 1, which has the lower impacts on home gardens and the higher share of the traverse through paddy fields, in spite of the fact that it is about 2 km longer than the shortest distance identified for option 3. Ecological Impacts: The proposed corridor for the transmission line would not disturb any natural habitats/ ecosystems in the project area and occupies only the areas already developed as home gardens, forest plantations, agricultural lands, abandoned unproductive lands and paddy fields. Therefore, the construction of the line would not have adverse impacts on undisturbed natural habitats or ecosystems. There would not be any direct or indirect impacts on protected areas since the proposed project does not cut across any National Park or a Sanctuary. The impact on individuals and populations of terrestrial flora and fauna found in all the habitats along the transmission line would be minimal as these comprise common species with very low endemicity with fewer being regarded as threatened. The number of rare and endangered flora and fauna recorded from this area is very few. All plants and animal species recorded from the habitats in and surroundings the trace are found in other

geographic locations in the country. Therefore, impact on these species due to the activities (construction and operational phases) of the project would be marginal. Mitigaory Measures: The impacts on habitats such as home gardens, plantations, paddy fields and associated habitats would be marginal during the construction phase and therefore site specific mitigatory measures are not required. The proposed project area represents predominantly common species of flora and fauna. Therefore, implementations of species specific mitigatory measures are not required. Environmental specifications for contractors should cover management of work forces (control of poaching and firewood collection), machinery (speed, noise, and traffic), and prevention of erosion and contamination during construction. Laws pertaining to plant and animal species, protected areas, hunting, fishing, and forestry should be used where available and developed as a more permanent means of impact minimisation.

6.2.5 Ukuwela-Pallekelle 132 kV Transmission Line Ukuwela GS is existing whereas Pallekelle is a new GS to be built under this subproject. There is no existing corridor between Ukuwela and Pallekelle that can considered to locate the new 132 kV line. This study examined three alternatives for the new corridor.


Figure 6.4- Optional Routes for the Transmission Corridor between Ukuwela & Pallekelle

Table 6.4- Land-use Pattern Along the Three Optional Routes for Ukuwela-Pallekelle



Tea - 8.0 Other cultivations - 2.8 Home garden 45.8 46.6 52.5 May have dispersed houses Shrub - - Chena-type land (rotating


Village settlements 5.5 11.9 8.8 Home garden with relatively higher housing density. It is required to minimise the distance traversed within populated areas, to minimise the land-use restrictions and disturbance to private lands and houses.

Religious Premises Nos. 1 2 Hospitals Nos. 1 Road crossings (mainA/B, minor roads)

Nos. 10 8 13 Road crossings have to be minimised, to ensure minimum land-use restrictions caused by the line, because housing density is high near national highways

Railway crossings Nos. 2 4 2 Based on the above screening, it was decided to select Option 1, which has the lowest impact on home gardens and the maximum traverse through paddy fields, in spite of the fact that it is about 1.3 km longer than the shortest distance identified for option 2. Ecological Impacts: The proposed transmission line would not disturb any natural habitat/ecosystem in the project area and it occupies only the areas already developed as home gardens, plantations, agricultural lands, paddy fields, etc. Therefore, the construction of the line would not have any impacts on undisturbed natural habitats or ecosystems. There would not be any direct or indirect impacts on protected areas since the proposed project does not cut across any National Park or a Sanctuary. The impact on individuals and populations of terrestrial flora and fauna found in all the habitats along the trace would be minimal, as these comprise many common species. The information available for this area revealed that there are very few species of fauna and flora belong to endemic or threatened categories. Therefore, impact on these species due to the activities (construction and operational phases) of the project would be negligible. Mitigaory Measures: The proposed project area harbours predominantly common species of flora and fauna and species-specific mitigatory measures are not proposed. The impacts on habitats such as home gardens, plantations, paddy fields and associated habitats would be

marginal during the construction phase and therefore site-specific mitigatory measures are not required. Environmental specifications for contractors would cover management of work forces, machinery (speed, noise, and traffic), and prevention of erosion and contamination during construction. Laws pertaining to plant and animal species, protected areas, hunting, fishing, and forestry should be used where available and developed as a more permanent means of impact minimization.

6.2.6 Transmission Line for Naula In and Out Connection Naula is a new GS to be built under this subproject. This selected in and out connection is proposed from the closest angle tower of the existing 132kV transmission line from Ukuwela to Habarana to connect the new Naula GS.

6.2.6.1 Alternative Routes Considering the very short length of this connection and very minimal environmental impacts of it, only two alternative line routes starting from the two closest angle towers (located in opposite sides of the Naula GS) from the said transmission line is considered, as any other alternative will have relatively longer length and also higher environmental impacts. These two options are shown in Figure 6.5. The land-use patterns along the optional routes are compared in Table 6.5.

Figure 6.5- Optional Routes for the in an out connection to Naula GS

Table 6.5- Land-use Pattern Along the Two Optional Routes for in and out connection at Naula

Option 1 Option 2 Comments Approximate line length (km) 1.2 0.5 Estimates on map-based routing Land use type (% of line length)

Other cultivations (Coconut)

48 - Considering the higher number of removal of coconut trees for the line corridor, it is required to minimize the length through coconut cultivations

Home garden 37 27 no houses along the corridor Shrub 15 40 Chena-type land (rotating


Chena - 33 rotating agriculture, abandoned unproductive lands or bare lands

Schools Nos. 1 - Road crossings (B/ minor roads)

Nos. 5 2 Road crossings have to be minimized, to ensure minimum land-use restrictions caused by the line, because housing density is high near national highways

Considering the relatively shorter line lengths, minimum environmental /social impacts are encountered in both options. However, based on the above screening, it was decided to select Option 2, which has no houses along the line corridor, and consist of mostly chena , shrub and bare lands. Also, options 2 has the shorter length among both options. Ecological Impacts: The proposed corridor for the transmission line would not disturb any natural habitats/ ecosystems in the project area and occupies only the areas already developed as home gardens, agricultural lands, shrub lands, abandoned unproductive lands and therefore, the construction of the line would not have adverse impacts on undisturbed natural habitats or ecosystems. Also it does not cut across any National Park or a Sanctuary or protected areas . The impact on individuals and populations of terrestrial flora and fauna found in all the habitats along the transmission line would be minimal as these comprise common species with very low endemicity. There are no rare or endangered flora and fauna recorded from this area. All plants and animal species recorded from the habitats in and surroundings the trace are found in other geographic locations in the country. Therefore, impact on these species due to the activities (construction and operational phases) of the project would be marginal. Mitigaory Measures: The impacts on habitats such as home gardens, agricultural lands and associated habitats would be marginal during the construction phase and therefore site specific mitigatory measures are not required. The proposed project area represents predominantly common species of flora and fauna. Therefore, implementations of species specific mitigatory measures are not required.

Environmental specifications for contractors should cover management of work forces, machinery (speed, noise, and traffic), and prevention of erosion and contamination during construction.

7 SRI LANKA LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

7.1 Environmental Acts and Regulations National Environment Act No 47 of 1980 established the Central Environmental Authority, and was subsequently amended twice as Acts No 56 of 1988 and 53 of 2000. The above acts of parliament and regulations made under the act from time to time are legally enforced in Sri Lanka. The procedure for application for a license has been established as the National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations No 1 of 1990. These regulations specify the quality limits for the discharge of effluents from industrial and other activities. National Environment (Procedure for the Approval of Projects) Regulations No 1 of 1993, established the project approving agencies and the list or prescribed projects for which a prior Environmental approval (EIA/IEE) is mandatory. The list of industries/operations for which such an Environmental approval is required have been established by the Amended Regulations published in year 2000 (Procedure for Approval of Projects). Noise control regulations and standards have been stipulated under the National Environmental (Noise Control) Regulations No 1 of 1996.

7.2 Environmental Approval Procedure

7.2.1 Augmentation of Eight Grid Substations The augmentation of the eight grid substations is not a prescribed project under the Regulations No 1 of 1993. Therefore under Sri Lanka regulations, no formal EIA or IEE process would be required for the augmentation of grid substations. Local authority approval would however be required, for the construction. CEB would be making a timely application to each relevant local authority, and seek approval for the alterations.

7.2.2 Construction of Three New Grid Substations The construction of grid substations is not a prescribed project under the Regulations No 1 of 1993. Therefore under Sri Lanka regulations, no formal EIA or IEE process would be required for the augmentation of grid substations. Local authority approval would however be required, for the construction. CEB would be making a timely application to each relevant local authority, and seek approval for the new construction.

7.2.3 Transmission line for in and out Connection to Naula GS Considering the shorter length (less than 10Km) of this Transmission line, this is not a prescribed project under the Regulations No 1 of 1993. Therefore under Sri Lanka regulations, no formal EIA or IEE process would be required for the construction of this Transmission line. Local authority approval would however be required, for the construction. CEB would be making a timely application to each relevant local authority, and seek approval for the new construction.

7.2.4 Transmission Lines As all other four transmission lines to be built under this subproject (except in and out connection to Naula GS) will be operating above 50 kV and longer than 10 km, each one would be a prescribed project under the National Environmental Act. Approval has already been requested from CEA for the four transmission lines in this subproject, and CEA has already commenced the evaluation process. Approval for the Ukuwela-Pallekelle line has already been issued.

8 INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN The project will be designated as the National Grid Development Project, and will managed by a Project Director, who will be a Senior Engineer. There will be Project Managers for each of the three subprojects, and project engineers for each element (or groups of elements) within each subproject as the requirement warrants. CEB, through the Project Director and his/her staff, will bear full responsibility for ensuring that the Project complies with best environmental practices and meeting the mitigation and monitoring requirements described in this IEE report during construction.

8.1 Procedure to Handle Public Complaints CEB accords the highest priority to establish a mechanism for accommodating public complaints and comments, both from the affected parties and others, throughout the project implementation period. The first level of contact for members of public or the affected parties would be the project engineers. All representations will be received by the project engineers, and communicated to the DS if the issue warrants intervention or inquiry by Government officials. If the issue requires issuing instructions to the contractors, these will be communicated to the contractors. In general, most public interactions would be on construction-related issues, which are temporary but nevertheless require attention, such as the impacts on minor access roads when heavy equipment or gravel is transported regularly. In case of the transmission line, issues related to tower locations and clearance of tress will continue to be referred to CEB from time to time, which will be resolved through

consultation with the affected parties. Temporary obstruction of roadways during stringing of conductors are typical concerns raised by the public. If any matter cannot be resolved by the project engineer, it will be referred to the project manager in charge of the sub-project, and if required, will be referred to the Project Director. During project implementation, CEB would issue written instructions to the contractor(s) in items related to the environmental management plan, requesting compliance. CEB field staff will ensure the contractors and his staff would comply with the instructions, in all work connected with the project, within the project site(s) as well as outside the immediate project siting areas.

8.2 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan The Environmental Unit of CEB will coordinate all environment-related issues and activities, and the CEB will provide him the necessary manpower and financial resources for the same. The direct responsibility of implementing,

• provisions in this IEE report, • conditions stipulated by the CEA in the approval for the project in terms of the

National Environmental Act • orders issued by the DS with regard to land-use and compensation, and • the local authority regulations

will lie with the Project Director, while the Environmental Unit will provide assistance and play a coordinating role in the process. Assistance of environmental experts will be obtained when necessary, to handle special issues, particularly those related to impacts on biodiversity on sensitive area. Table 8.1 shows the comprehensive environmental monitoring plan, and the corresponding budgetary estimates for the implementation of the monitoring plan are given in Table 8.2.

Table 8.1- Environmental Monitoring Plan

Project activity Potential

impact Proposed mitigation

measure Parameter to be

monitored Measurement and

frequency Institu-tional

respon-sibility

Implementation schedule

Pre-construction Grid substation augmentation

Disturbance to people occupying land adjacent to the GS, owing to land filling and construction

Maintain adequate clearance between the dwellings and retaining structures to be built at two GSs where land filling is required

Proximity to houses and other buildings

During the design CEB Before the GS augmentation structural layout is finalised

Additional storm water releases

Examine the capacity of existing storm water outlets to carry the additional volume, release storm water only to designated drains or waterways, as instructed by the local authority

Volume and direction of storm water release

During the design CEB Before the GS augmentation structural layout is finalised

GS Equipment specifications and design parameters

Release of harmful chemicals and gases

Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) will not be used in substation transformers or any other equipment.

Transformer design, and coolants and operating media used in all GSs equipment

Exclusion of PCBs in transformers stated in tender specification

CEB During tendering and tender evaluation

Project activity Potential impact

Proposed mitigation measure

Parameter to be monitored

Measurement and frequency

Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Selection of transmission line corridor

Excessive requirements for clearance of way-leaves and land use restrictions in areas of high population density

Examine alternative routes, and select the route causing the minimum impacts on long-term land-use, and minimum possible removal of trees

Number of buildings along the line route, urban and suburban centres of population crossed by the line, proportion of line route through such areas

During preliminary route selection, reviewed during field visits and in final line design survey, further reviewed after the notices are issued and DS’s rulings

CEB Before line route is finalised

Line traversing across environmentally sensitive areas with possible impacts biodiversity and excessive clearance of

l

Line route across forest and wildlife reserves to be minimised, and routed through areas with low-grown vegetation and agriculture, such as paddy and tea plantations.

Line length across the sensitive area

During preliminary route selection, reviewed during field visits and in final line design survey, further reviewed after consultation with forest and wildlife

CEB Before the line route is finalised

New GS location and design

Displacement/Relocation of housing

Select a land with no buildings or houses, preferably state-owned land

House and other buildings to be demolished/relocated

During land selection and route selection for the transmission line

CEB Before the line route and GS location is finalised

New GS location and augmentation of GSs

Exposure to noise

Design and location of transformers to comply with Sri Lanka noise regulations, noise levels specified in bidsdocs.

Expected noise emissions based on substation design

During factory tests and after commissioning

CEB Before the GS locations and transformer locations are finalised





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Escape of polluting materials

Environmental pollution

Transformers designed with oil spill containment pit, and with emergency oil release and storage system.

Equipment specifications with respect to potential pollutants, and compliance with design specifications

During commissioning tests and compliance checking of civil works

CEB During design of the GSs

GSs to include storm water drainage and sewage disposal systems to avoid surface water pollution.

Substation storm water discharge sewage design

Bid documents to mention detailed specifications, and compliance checking after construction

CEB During design and construction of GSs.

Explosions/Fire Hazards to life Design of GSs to include fire detection and control systems and firewalls.

Substation design compliance with fire prevention and control codes in Sri Lanka

Bid document to mention detailed specifications, and compliance checking after construction.

CEB During design and construction of GSSs.

Provision of fire fighting equipment to be located close to transformers.

Construction Equipment layout and installation

Noise and vibrations caused during construction activities

Construction techniques and machinery selection seeking to minimise ground disturbance.

Construction techniques and machinery used by contractors

Construction techniques and machinery creating minimal ground disturbance, before commencement of site work

CEB Throughout the construction

period





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Mechanized construction

Noise, vibration and operator safety

Construction equipment to be well maintained.

Construction equipment status, hours of operation, maintenance

Observations during site visits, as frequently as required

CEB Throughout the construction period

Temporary blockage, loss of service of utilities

Loss of power supply to local areas, when distribution lines crossing the new transmission line are switched off

Minimise the duration of line shutdown by careful programming of work

Total hours of power shutdown

Monitored regularly during the period of stringing the conductors.

CEB and Contractor

Throughout the construction period

Site clearance at GSs

No impact to the external environment

Debris to be disposed of in accordance with local authority regulations and advise.

Method and location disposal of debris.

When the site is cleared by the contractor

CEB and Contractor

Throughout the construction period

Access to and site clearance at tower footings

Temporary obstruction of access roads, waterways, clearance of trees and shrubs

Culverts to cross waterways, minimise disturbance and clearing of vegetation

Hindrance to regular social activities, use of rights of way, hindrance to waterways

Regularly throughout the construction period, inspection after the work is completed when the contractor demobilises from the site

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Surplus earthwork/soil

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable - Not applicable





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Storage of chemicals and materials

Contamination of receptors (land, water, air)

Transformer oil will be securely stored above high flood level, until the transformer(s) are filled-up.

Location of transformer; spill reports (type of material spilled, amount in m3) and action taken to control and clean up spill

Examined by the project engineer at each site visit

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Provision of facilities for construction workers

Contamination of receptors (land, water, air)

Construction workforce temporary facilities to include proper sanitation, water supply and waste disposal facilities.

Amenities for Workforce facilities

Presence of proper sanitation, water supply and waste disposal facilities - once each new facility

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Encroachment into farmland

Loss of agricultural productivity

Avoid period of cultivation in paddy fields and chena land

Land area of active agriculture lost at each tower footings and along the transmission corridor

Weekly report of the status

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Uncontrolled erosion/silt runoff

Soil loss, downstream siltation at sites adjoining GSs

Staged compacting of filling at two GSs,

covered gravel stockpile and loose material

Visual observation of run off and

siltation of storm water drains

Weekly report of the status

CEB and Contractor

Construction period





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Nuisance to nearby properties

Losses to neighbouring land uses/ values

Contract specifying careful construction practices.

Contract Incorporating good construction management practices, regularly during construction

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Inadequate siting of borrow areas

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Not applicable

Health and safety

Injury and sickness of workers and members of the public

Contract provisions specifying minimum requirements for construction camps

Contract clauses (number of incidents and total lost-work days caused by injuries and sickness)

Contract clauses compliance – once every quarter

CEB and Contractor

Construction period

Contractor to prepare and implement a health and safety plan. Contractor to arrange for health and safety training sessions

Inadequate construction stage monitoring

Likely to increase damages, lost time

Training of CEB environmental monitoring personnel and project engineers/other staff

Training schedules and training coverage

Number and coverage of programs attended by each person

CEB Construction period





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Implementation of effective environmental monitoring and reporting system using checklist of all contractual environmental requirements

Respective contract checklists and remedial actions taken thereof.

Submission of duly completed checklists of all contracts for each site, once prepared to be used thereafter

Appropriate contact clauses to ensure satisfactory implementation of contractual environmental mitigation measures.

Compliance report related to environmental aspects for the contract

Submission of duly completed compliance report for each contract - once

Operation and Maintenance Transformer Oil spillage

Contamination of land/nearby water bodies

Substation transformers located within secure and impervious sump areas with a storage capacity of at least 100% of the capacity of oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks.

Transformer oil sump checked through physical measurement of volume and visual inspection

Oil sump volume and permeability, once after completion

CEB During operations





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Inadequate provision of staff/workers health and safety during operations

Injury and sickness of staff/workers

Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimise hazards

Usage of appropriate technologies (lost work days due to illness and injuries)

Preparedness level for using these technologies in crisis – once a year

CEB Included in design and monitored throughout operation

Safety awareness raising for staff.

Training/awareness programs and mock drills

Number of programs and percent of staff/workers covered – once a year

Preparation of fire emergency action plan and training given to staff on implementing emergency action plan

Provide adequate sanitation and water supply facilities

Provision of facilities

Complaints received from staff, regularly

Electric Shock Hazards

Injury/mortality to staff and public

Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimise hazards

Usage of appropriate technologies (number of injury incidents, lost work days)

Preparedness level for using these technologies in crisis – once a month

CEB Included in design and monitored throughout operation

Security fences around substations

Maintenance of fences

Report on maintenance – every 2 weeks Appropriate warning

signs on facilities Maintenance of warning signs





Institu-tional

respon-sibility


Electricity safety awareness raising in project areas

Training/awareness programs and mock drills for all concerned parties

Number of programs and percent of total persons covered – once a year

Operations and maintenance staff skills less than acceptable

Unnecessary environmental losses of various types

Adequate training in O&M to all relevant staff of substations maintenance crews.

Training/awareness programs and fire drills for all relevant staff

Number of programs and percent of staff covered – once a year

CEB Throughout operation

Preparation and training in the use of O&M manuals and standard operating

Inadequate periodic environmental monitoring.

Diminished ecological and social values.

Staff to receive training in environmental monitoring of project operations and maintenance activities.

Training/awareness programs and mock drills for all relevant staff

Number of programs and percent of staff covered – once a year


Noise related Nuisance to neighbouring properties

Substations sited and designed to ensure noise will not be a nuisance.

Noise levels (dB (a))

Noise levels at boundary nearest to properties and consultation with affected parties if any – once a year


Table 8.2- Cost Estimates for the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

Item Sub –Item Total Cost

(LKR million) Mitigatory measures described in this IEE

As explained under the Environmental Monitoring Plan

60.0

Implementation Monitoring and Auditing, including staff training

8.00

Sub-total 68.0 Contingency to account for any unforeseen requirements

10 % 6.8

Total= 74.8 Note: Estimated costs are only indicative. Compensation to be paid for loss of vegetation and disturbance during construction is not included in the estimates

9 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

9.1 Grid Substations In the case of grid substations to be augmented, the property of GSs to be augmented is owned by CEB and each location has a presently operational GS. Once the necessary approvals are obtained from the Local Authority, no formal public consultation is required owing to the fact that all new construction and operations are limited to the perimeter of the existing GSs owned by CEB and no resettlements are caused by any such developments. In the case of new grid substations, the land to be occupied is government-owned, with no immediate impacts on the population. Naula is located in a semi-residential area, Pallekelle is located within an industrial zone, while Maho is located within a residential area. If the members of public require information about the construction work planned or activities related to construction, they will be requested to make a request to CEB if it involves clarifications on the extent of work that is likely to affect the public, especially the owners of lands adjacent to the GS. Any further public consultation, if required, would be arranged and presided by the Divisional Secretary (DS) upon a written request or objection from the public on any aspect related to the project. CEB would be providing the information to the concerned members of public, as directed by the DS.

9.2 Right-of-Way of the Transmission Line

9.2.1 Preliminary Work Conducted CEB design engineers initially establish several possible alternative routes on a topographical map of the scale 1:50,000. In selecting alternatives, care is taken to avoid areas with significant residential or commercial land-use, and to avoid environmentally sensitive areas such as wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas. The preferred routing of the line is always through areas of low-grown agriculture, particularly paddy and tea. In the selection of alternative routes for the four transmission lines, the maximum possible length of routes traverse areas of minimal environmental impacts and land-use restrictions, such as paddy fields, shrub, tea, cinnamon, chena and grasslands. The width of the corridor for all 132 kV line is 27 meters (13.5 m on each side). In the Habarana-Valachchenai line, the selected route is alongside the existing 132 kV line for a length of 53 km. There is a requirement to maintain a distance of 30 m between the two lines (centre to centre). Thus the additional corridor to be demarcated for the new line would be 30 m. A preliminary walk-over survey was conducted, and thereafter, CEB transmission design staff including design engineers examined the ground realities with regard to impacts on land, buildings vegetation, and options available to minimise the impacts. This transmission line project is presently at the stage of being finalised with regard to the routing.

9.2.2 Sri Lanka Environmental Approval Process The first step in the approval process is for Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to appoint a Project Approving Agency (PAA), which is typically a Ministry or a Government Department. A Project Approving Committee (PAC) is established by the PAA, which includes the Divisional Secretaries of all the Divisions traversed by the line, and officials from the relevant state departments and regulatory agencies (such as Department of Forests) and the regional offices of CEA. The DSs will act as the representatives of the public affected by the project. Minutes of PAC meetings are recorded, and circulated to all members of the committee. The PAC in their deliberations, and based on the guidelines provided in the regulations, would specify whether the project would require an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or a more comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Accordingly, a scoping committee is appointed, which may include additional experts in the specific fields of study which the PAC would consider to be important in the context of the project, to prepare the TOR for the IEE/EIA. Then the IEE/EIA is conducted by CEB in accordance with the TOR provided by the scoping committee. In considering the IEE/EIA report for approval, the PAA conducts site visits and stakeholder consultations. Typical participants at these site visits would include the PAA/scoping committee members, the Grama Niladharis (village leaders) of each village traversed by the

line, who would represent the public in each village, and the field officers of all the relevant government agencies. Non-governmental agencies and other informal groups such as farmer organisations would also be invited on the recommendation of the officers, as required. During the field visit, all major issues highlighted in previous deliberations and the issues brought to the notice of the PAC during the visit are documented. Minutes are circulated among all the participants. The field visit is immediately followed-up by a site meeting, where certain decisions are made by the PAC with regard to the proposed line. Typical examples are the deviation of a section of the line considering the issues highlighted during the approval process, and relocation of a tower position from a small block of land, which would otherwise make the block of land unusable. Other special situations may include the deviation of a section of the line to avoid a recently-planned housing scheme which was not included in the maps and not noticed during preliminary visits by CEB officials, as construction has not started yet. The PAA and the relevant officers may make more than one field visit either for the same location or different locations along the line route, to adequately cover the issues highlighted in the IEE/EIA and issues directly brought to the notice of the committee by that time. Thereafter, the PAC would either decline approval, or would issues the approval, subject to conditions. In case of EIA process, the EIA report is kept open for public comments (announced through newspapers) for a period of one month, and CEB would be required to respond to the written comments from the members of public (which can include comments from NGOs, community-based organisations and institutions, as well) to the satisfaction of the PAC.

9.2.2.1 Present Status of Environmental Approvals The environmental approval process including public consultations/information disclosure has been completed in July 2006 for the Ukuwela-Pallekelle transmission line, and the minutes of the relevant meetings/discussions and the attendance sheets are attached as Annex 2 & 3 respectively. The Environmental Approval was granted and the transmission line trace (mentioned in this RP) was finalized subsequent to the said public consultation. The environmental approval process for the other transmission lines included in this subproject has already been started. Public consultation / field inspection for proposed Galle – Matara transmission line has been held on 28th and 29th February 2008. The minutes of the meeting / discussion and attendance sheet is attached as Annex 4 & 5 respectively. A summary of the main issues discussed and agreed are given below.

• Soil excavated from the pits for the tower foundations in paddy fields should be removed away in order to avoid adverse effects to the top soil.

• Proposed line route crosses the southern highway in more than three places and adequate clearance has to be provided to the highway with the consultation of the Road Development Authority.

• Proposed line route passes through Kirelakelle area for a short distance (where the existing Matara grid substation is already located), which may be declared as a protected area in future by Dept. of Wildlife Conservation. Views of Department of Wildlife Conservation has to be obtained in construction of the line.

Although a number of issues raised by the stakeholders/DSs/Grama Niladaris etc., has been discussed and agreed upon by CEB(as highlighted in the minutes), no changes to the selected line route was proposed. Public consultation / field inspection for proposed Habarana – Valachchanai transmission line has been held on 24th March 2008. The minutes of the meeting / discussion and attendance sheet is attached as Annex 6 & 7 respectively. A summary of the main issues discussed and agreed are given below.

• Divisional Secretary – Welikanda and GN – Manampitiya suggested to deviate a section of the line in order to avoid it passing through the Welikanda town. A deviation to relevant section, avoiding Welikanda town is suggested by CEB, to which all the participants have agreed. The line route with the proposed deviation is shown in Annex 8.

• It was revealed that the proposed line traverse parallel to the existing HT line, which is closer to the runaway of Hingurkgoda Air strip belonging to the Air Force. CEB officers explained that although new line it is parallel to the existing line, it will be further away to the Air Port than the existing line. However, it has been agreed that the Air Force should be informed and the necessary steps should be taken to get their approval by the CEB, as there may be a proposal to expand the airstrip.

• It was revealed that proposed line crosses the railway line in three locations and the officers from Railway Department has to be consulted in the construction of line. A permanent cradle guard/mesh will be installed by CEB under the transmission line at each point it crosses the railway.

Except for the proposed deviation in Welikanda DS Division, all the other participants including DSs and GNs have given their consent to the proposed transmission line route.

9.2.3 Formal Notice and Route Confirmation Local-level public consultations and information disclosure is conducted continuously during the preliminary survey, as explained earlier. The next step would be the detailed route survey, at which further measures possible would be explored, to select a route with minimal damage to land and property, and disturbance to all concerned. For the purpose of entering lands for the purpose of the detailed survey, a written communication is issued to all land-owners, as required by Clause 15(1) of the Electricity Act. The owners of land and buildings likely to be affected are then identified and the route of the line is surveyed and mapped. The village officers, the Grama Niladhari (GN) of all the villages along the route will be involved in this process, and would be the contact person to liaise between CEB and the land owners or other affected parties. If case of any significant public concerns are conveyed to CEB, meetings are organised between CEB design/survey staff and village residents, NGOs and other representative bodies (such as religious institutions, which generally serve as a meeting place), to provide information to the public, request their views and to address any concerns they have about the line(s) and the right-of-way. Section15-19 of the Electricity of No 19 of 1950 requires the owners of land and buildings affected to be formally informed and fully appraised about the line route and the likely impacts, and obtain permission to draw the line. Such land-owners (or other affected parties) are then issued with the notice in accordance with the provisions in the Electricity Act. This notice is commonly known as the D notice, in accordance with the Electricity Act. This notice elaborates the type of likely damages to each and every property along the line corridor. When land-owners cannot be identified, the D notice is prominently displayed on the affected land. Thus the D notice provides a means for comprehensive communication between CEB and affected parties. Trees to be removed and any buildings affected are identified with a marking.

9.2.4 Public Consultation and Appeal Procedure to Address Grievances Affected persons receiving a D notice having any objections to the proposed line route may submit written objections within 14 days from the date of the D notice. These objections are received by the Divisional Secretary (DS), who would then hold an inquiry within two weeks upon expiry of the 30-day period, in the presence of the affected party (or parties) and CEB officials. The affected parties and CEB are provided an opportunity to explain their position on the issues, and in most cases, an amicable settlement is reached through this consultation process. The DS would be the final authority to give a ruling on an issue either to proceed with activities or prohibiting activities, if no amicable settlement can be reached. Such rulings may be challenged in a court of law, where the court would issue the final decision. The DS also reviews the compensation plan, and approves the sums to be paid for trees and buildings affected. More details of this compensation package would be provided in the Resettlement and Compensation Plan to be submitted to ADB in addition to this IEE.

The felling of trees will be the responsibility of the owner and any timber would remain the property of the owner, in spite of the compensation that would have been awarded.

9.3 Procedure to Handle Public Complaints During Implementation Phase CEB accords the highest priority to establish a mechanism for accommodating public complaints and comments, both from the affected parties and others, throughout the project implementation period. The first level of contact for members of public or the affected parties would be the project engineers. All representations will be received by the project engineers, and communicated to the DS if the issue warrants intervention or inquiry by Government officials. If the issue requires issuing instructions to the contractors, these will be communicated to the contractors. In general, most public interactions would be on construction-related issues, which are temporary but nevertheless require attention, such as the impacts on minor access roads when heavy equipment or gravel is transported regularly. In case of the transmission line, issues related to tower locations and clearance of tress will continue to be referred to CEB from time to time, which will be resolved through consultation with the affected parties. Temporary obstruction of roadways during stringing of conductors, are typical concerns raised by the public. If any matter that cannot be resolved by the project engineer, it will be referred to the project manager in charge of the sub-project, and if required, will be referred to the Project Director. During project implementation, in case of complaints, CEB would issue written instructions to the contractor(s) in items related to the environmental management plan, requesting compliance. CEB field staff will ensure the contractors and his staff would comply with the instructions, in all work connected with the project, within the project site(s) as well as outside the immediate project siting areas.

10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This IEE study is conducted at the preliminary stage of this subproject No 3, within the National Grid Development project, proposed to be implemented from year 2008 onwards. The study reveals that the environmental impacts of this subproject during construction and operation can be divided into two distinct categories, namely,

(a) Eight Grid Substations (GSs) to be augmented and three GSs to be newly built (b) Establishment of new rights-of-way for five 132 kV transmission lines and the

construction of the those lines.

10.1 Project Justification Sri Lanka’s demand for electricity is growing rapidly, and more capacity has to be provided at grid substations to provide the service to both retail and bulk customers, and to improve the reliability of service. The proposed project focuses on this urgent requirement and provides a cost-effective solution by augmenting the capacity of eight exiting grid

substations by adding transformers, and by building three new grid substations. Some additional minor modifications are also included in some GSs.

10.2 Environmental Impacts of GS Augmentation As the eight GSs are to be augmented within the existing space available, no significant environmental impacts are expected in these projects. Land filling is required at one of the eight GSs, which requires to be managed carefully, so that adjoining lands will not be affected. In the three new grid substations, no land preparation is required. Access to all the GSs is available through public highways, and through local public roads. Thus no new roadways would be required in the GS augmentations. Similarly, no relocation of assets owned by members of the public would be required, while at one GS, buildings owned by CEB would have to be relocated. Standard practices would be adopted in the design of the GS to ensure transformer oil spills in an emergency would be fully contained within the containment pit immediately beneath the power transformers. CEB adopts international standards on transformer noise limits, which will be tested during type tests conducted in the factory. CEB will continue to implement and enhance the present safety practices in construction and operation of substations.

10.3 Transmission Lines A new right-of-way (a line corridor) has to be established for each of the five lines to be built. For each line corridor, three optional routes are presented in this report, except for short in and out connections at Naula GS, where two optional routs are presented . In all the cases, CEB has deviated from the technically feasible, shortest possible route, to ensure that the three options are selected to minimise impacts on land use and on specially protected areas such as natural reserves. Within the three optional routes, in most cases, the route with the longest distance was selected, to minimise impacts on human settlements and reserves. For the all the transmission lines, there will be no involuntary relocation of any sort, and the houses below the line can remain and agricultural activities up to a height of 4 m can continue. The most significant impact of the line would be the clearance of trees and other way-leaves permanently, which will be compensated on the basis of their life-long value of lost production.

11 CONCLUSIONS The proposed subproject is a Power Transmission Project of Category B, in the classification under ADB environmental guidelines. There will be no involuntary relocation of private or public buildings, except for CEB’s own buildings within one grid substation, and minor modifications to CEB’s own existing buildings. The main environmental impacts would be the loss of vegetation along the new corridors to be developed for the four transmission lines, which has been minimised by selected the longest possible segment of the route to

traverse paddy fields, tea gardens, cinnamon, shrubs and chena, all of which can continue to be in productive use when the transmission lines are in operation. Careful management of the project construction activities and subsequent management of the assets would make the proposed project to environmentally acceptable and comparable with any other transmission project.

ANNEX 1: RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) CHECKLIST

Instructions:

This checklist is to be prepared to support the environmental classification of a project. It is to be attached to the environmental categorization form that is to be prepared and submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department.

This checklist is to be completed with the assistance of an Environment Specialist in a Regional

Department. This checklist focuses on environmental issues and concerns. To ensure that social dimensions are

adequately considered, refer also to ADB checklists and handbooks on (i) involuntary resettlement, (ii) indigenous peoples planning, (iii) poverty reduction, (iv) participation, and (v) gender and development.

Answer the questions assuming the “without mitigation” case. The purpose is to identify potential impacts.

Use the “remarks” section to discuss any anticipated mitigation measures.

Country/Project Title: Sector Division:

SCREENING QUESTIONS Yes No REMARKS A. PROJECT SITING IS THE PROJECT AREA ADJACENT TO OR WITHIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS?

Cultural heritage site

Protected Area

Wetland

Mangrove

Estuarine

Buffer zone of protected area

Special area for protecting biodiversity

B. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WILL THE PROJECT CAUSE…

encroachment on historical/cultural areas, disfiguration of landscape and increased waste generation?

encroachment on precious ecosystem (e.g. sensitive or protected areas)?

alteration of surface water hydrology of waterways crossed by roads and resulting in increased sediment in streams

Sri Lanka: National Grid Development Project- Subproject 3

Power

SCREENING QUESTIONS Yes No REMARKS affected by increased soil erosion at the construction site? damage to sensitive coastal/marine habitats by construction of submarine cables?

deterioration of surface water quality due to silt runoff, sanitary wastes from worker-based camps and chemicals used in construction?

increased local air pollution due to rock crushing, cutting and filling?

Filling required at one GS site

chemical pollution resulting from chemical clearing of vegetation for construction site?

noise and vibration due to blasting and other civil works?

Only during construction period maximum one month at each location

dislocation or involuntary resettlement of people

social conflicts relating to inconveniences in living conditions where construction interferes with pre-existing roads?

Only during conductor stringing, for short intervals of time.

hazardous driving conditions where construction interferes with pre-existing roads?

poor sanitation and solid waste disposal in construction camps and work sites, and possible transmission of communicable diseases from workers to local populations?

creation of temporary breeding habitats for mosquito vectors of disease?

dislocation and compulsory resettlement of people living in right-of-way of the power transmission lines?

Only in an extreme case.

environmental disturbances associated with the maintenance of lines (e.g. routine control of vegetative height under the lines)?

Vegetation above 3 m would not be allowed on transmission line corridor

facilitation of access to protected areas in case corridors traverse protected areas?

No permanent access roads would be built in protected areas

accident risks associated with maintenance of lines and related facilities?

Possible but very rare

health hazards due to electromagnetic fields, land subsidence, lowered groundwater table, and salinization?

disturbances (e.g. noise and chemical pollutants) if herbicides are used to control vegetative height?

Annex 2

FIELD INSPECTION REPORT OF THE PROPOSED UKUWELA/PALLEKELE

HIGH TENSIONTRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT HELD ON 13/07/2006 Present :

Mrs. A. Polwatta - Divisional Secretary, Kundasale Mr. M.A.L.S.N.K.Manthrinayaka - Addl. Director, Ministry of Power & Energy Mr. N.W.Senadeera - Addl. Divisional Secretary, Pathadumbara Mr. A.G.S.A.Kumara - Addl. Divisional Secretary, Ukuwela Mr. L.A.Dissanayake - District Wild Officer, Mathale Mr. M.A.Mahinda - Forest Conservator, Mathale Mr. K.M.J.Susil - Field Forest Officer, Kandy Mr. D.K.B.Wattegama - Forest Conservator, Kandy Mr. N.G.L.Samarathunga - Senior Environmental Officer, Central

Environment Authority Mrs. G.Preethika - Divisional Environmental Officer, Pathadumbara Mr. D.P.Manamperi - District Forest Officer, Kandy Mr. R.Gunasekara - Grama Niladari, Malpenna Ms. I.Samarasekara - Grama Niladari, Galamuduna Mr. K.K.B.Gunawardhana - Grama Niladari, Kundasale Mr. W.N.K.Wijerathne - Grama Niladari, Ahaspokuna Mr. D.M.S.Keerthiratne - Grama Niladari, Digana Mr. H.Perera - Computer Operator, Menikhinna Mr. M.P.L.R.Gunawardhana - Environmental Officer, Ceylon Electricity Board Mr. B.Samarasekara - Electrical Engineer, Ceylon Electricity Board Mrs. K.K.Shyamali - Electrical Engineer, Ceylon Electricity Board Mr. K.K.Silva - Electrical Engineer, Ceylon ElectricityBoard

Field visit has been commenced at 9.00 am from Ukuwela Power Station premises. After the Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladaris of Ukuwela, Pathadumbara and Kundasale Divisions has been explained regarding the line trace traverse by this transmission line, certain locations along the line where special issues has been identified were selected for field visit. The main items discussed during this visit are shown below.

1. A road is being constructed at the proposed location where A-1 tower is to be constructed. It has been agreed to obtain the details of this road from the Local Authority, and to change the location of said tower, if so required to avoid any disturbance to the road.

2. New houses have been constructed recently in some places along this line trace.

So the heights of such buildings as approved by the relevant Local Authority has to be obtained, and the minimum height of the transmission line in such locations has to be decided giving due consideration to the safety clearance for such buildings.

3. During the discussion held in Divisional Secretary’s Office in Kundasale, inquiries have been raised by participants regarding how the compensation would be paid, and Asst. Secretary of Ministry of Power & Energy has explained the compensation scheme applicable to this project.

4. The Officers of Forest Conservation Department told that this transmission line

does not traverse the area belonging to Forest Conservation Department, and they agreed to keep it informed to their Head Office.

5. The all members who attended the field visit agreed with the approval of

extension of Environmental Approval of this project. Addl.Director of Ministry of Power & Energy agreed to forward the Technical Evaluation Committee Report for the approval of the members of the committee.

Attendance Sheet of the Public Consultation

Annex 3 Minutes of the field inspection of proposed 132kV transmission line route from Galle to Matara on 28th and 29th Februruay,2008 Participants: Project Approving Agency : Mr.J.A.K.N.Jayatunga, Additional Secretary (Planning & Development),M/P & E Mr.H.A.Piyaratne,DA, M/P & E Environment scoping committee members: Miss.J.A.D.R.Jayasooriya.Asst. Commissioner, Dept. of Agrarian Services Mr.Piysena Guruge,ADFO, Department of Forest.-Galle Division Mr.D.D.Gunawardena,ADFO,Dep.of Forest-Matara Division Mr.R.P.Mendis,Asst.Diretcor,Central Environmental Authority (Southern Province) Mrs.D.K.S.Jayalakshmi, Divisional Secretary, Welipitiya Mrs.Tharanga Wickramaratha, Divisional Secretary, Imaduwa Mr.Thusitha P. Wanigasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Matara Mrs.Damayanthi Paranagama, Divisional Secretary, Akmeemana Mr.Lal Samarasekera, Divisional Secretary, Habaraduwa Mrs.L.L.N.Piyumali.ADS.Weligama Mr.R.Wickramasekera,ADS,Imaduwa Mr.K.Nanayakkara,ADS,Matara Mr.A.K.Dayananda,LO,DS Office,Malimboda Grama Niladaries and other officers from respective Divisional Secretariats Mr.Y.W.Anwar,MA,DS Office,Welipitiya Mr.M.G.Priyantha,Pro.Asst.DS office,Welipitiya Mr.M.S.M.Nismath,GN, Denipitya Central Mr.P.K.Kulathilaka,GN,Meeruppa Mr.I.B.B.Piyalkumara,Welipitiya Mr.S.P.Withana,GN,Uruvitiya Mrs.H.S.de Zoysa,S & T Officer, DS office Imaduwa Mrs.G.H.R.Chamini,GN, DS Office,Imaduwa Mrs.M.w.Kamani,GN, DS Office,Imaduwa Mr.U.H.S.Malwana,GN,Howpe Mrs.A.A.K.Sriyakanthi,GN,Imaduwa Mr.M.H.N.Mahinda,GN,Ampilana Mr.N.Samarakoon,Thithagalla Mr.B.Thilakarathan,GN,Idurannawilla Mrs.G.K.Siriyawathi,GN,Pedinnoruwa MrsK.A.Priyanka,GN,Galaawa Mr.N.C.D.Karaunasena,DO,DS office,Akmeemana Mr.K.S.Sanjeewa,GN,Thalahitiyawa MrK.H.G.T.Kariyawasam,GN,Meegoda Mr.B.P.Saman Kumara,GN,Panagamuwa Mr.G.H.Leelaratna,GN,Happawana Mr.N.G.L.Gunaratne,GN,Annasiwatta Mr.K.Gamini,Haraumalgoda

Mrs.H.I.H.Salgamuwa,S & T Officer,DS office,Habarduwa Project Proponent: Mr.D.G.N.S.de Silva EE,CEB Mr A.U.S.Ranatunga,EE,CEB Mr.M.T.A.Perea,ES,CEB The field visit started on 28th February 2008 at 9.00 am. from Welipitiya Divisional Secretariat Mr.Nimal de Silva - Electrical Engineer from Ceylon Electricity Board explained the need for this proposed transmission line : As the existing Galle and Matara grid substations are currently connected to the national grid only through two separate radial 132kV lines from Mathugama and Embilipitiya respectively, a breakdown in one of these lines will result in a power interruption for the whole area until the fault/damage is rectified. Connecting Galle and Matara grid substations by the proposed 132 kV transmission line will open up an alternative supply to both the grid substations thus avoiding such interruptions. In addition proposed line will ensure a quality and reliable power supply to these two districts in future. Common issues raised by the stakeholders at the field visit Agrarian Services Department Miss.Wiyaesuriya, Asst .Commissioner of Agrarian services was in the view that, in case of the towers located in the paddy fields, if the soil removed from the pits that are dug for the tower foundations are dumped in the paddy fields, it may change the composition of the top soil layer that is more suitable for cultivation of paddy and result that area being unfertile for paddy. Therefore such excavated soil should not be put in the paddy field and should be removed away from the paddy land. When dumping the removed stack of earth will also cause water management problem in the paddy field as the elevation of the area become high. She also informed that approvals should be obtained from the Agrarian Service Department if the construction of temporary access roads are required within the paddy fields. Department of Forest Conservation : The officers who represented confirmed that this line does not traverse through any forest reservations and it traverse through only home gardens. Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharies : All the Divisional Secretaries and the Grama Niladaries inquired about the compensation that are to be paid to the affected parties for cutting down valuable tress (especially coconut) for the transmission line corridor. CEB officers explained that the compensation will be paid as per Electricity Act and the value of it is based on the assessment and recommendation of the respective Divisional Secretary.

It was identified that this line will cross southern highway in more that three places and Road Development Authority should be informed in this regard by the PAA and it is necessary to summon them for next environment committee meetings Welipitiya Divisional Secretary’s area All the relevant Grama Nildaries have participated in the field visit and the line route was shown to them by CEB staff. It was identified that the proposed line is crossing the two roads B466 and B465, and cross few LV lines in the area. Weligama Divisional Secretary’s area Mrs.L.L.N.Piyumali.ADS.Weligama informed the committee that the line dose not traverse thorough her area Imaduawa Divisional Secretary’s area All the relevant Gram Nildaries were present at the field visit, and they were shown the line route by CEB staff. The field visit continued on 29th February 2008. Matara Divisional Secretary’s area The line traverse through mostly paddy lands in Matara Divisional Secretary area The Divisional Secretary was in view that Kirelakelle area where the existing Matara grid substation is located may be declared as a protected area by Dept. of Wildlife Conservation. Although officers from Regional Office of the Wildlife Department are expected to participate in field visit they have not turned up. As such, it has been decided to get the views of Wildlife Department in this regard. During the field inspection it was found that there is an existing 33kV transmission line traversing through this area. CEB officers told that in Kiralakele area the new transmission line is located as close as possible to the existing line, to ensure minimum damages to this area. Divisional Secretary also pointed out that the CEB should consult Irrigation Engineer of the district for further information regarding canals, bunds etc. Malimboda Divisional Secretary’s area The Land Officer represented the DS/Malimboda at the field inspection. Only a small length of the line traverses through this area, however it was found that the line crosses southern highway in Sulthanagoda . Akmeemana Divisional Secretary’s area All the relevant Grama Nildaries participated at the field visit and they were shown the line route by the CEB staff.

Habaraduwa Divisional Secretary’s area Divisional Secretary was in view that a portion of the transmission line traverses though marshy land called Mattagodayaya. There was a proposal to put up an air port in this marshy land, however it has been abandoned later. He commended this proposed transmission line and asked the CEB to make arrangements to implement the project as proposed All the Grama Nildaries participated in the field visit were shown the line route by the CEB staff. It was identified that the proposed line traverses through Bogahmullagoda GN division too, but the Grama Niladhari has not participated the field visit.

Annex 4: Minutes of the field inspection on proposed 132 kv transmission line from Habarana to Valachchani (Habarana to Dimbulagala section) on 24th March,2008 Participants: Project Approving Agency: Ministry of Power & Energy Mr.J.A.K.N.Jayatunga, Additional Secretary (Planning & Development),M/P&E Mr.H.A.Piyaratne,DA, M/P&E Scoping Committee members: Mr.H.V.N.Perera, CIPW, Dept. of Railways Mr.R.D.G.Karaunaratne,ADFO,Dept. of Forest Mr.D.K.A.Premalal, Divisional Secretary, Welikanda Mrs.Chandani Wilson,AD,Dept. of Wildlife Mr.G.N.Chandarsire,AD,CEA(NP) Mr.K.G.S.Jayawrdena,DD/EIA,CEA Mr.N.G. Pandithrathena, Divisional Secretary, Thmankaduwa & Dimbulagala Mr.M.V.Sumanadasa,AD(P), DS Office, Hingurakgoda Mr.A.M.N. Gunathilaka, DFO,Anuradhapura Mr.A.B.W.Kumarasinghe, ADS, Palugaswewa Grama Niladaries and other officers : Mr.K. Shanmugam,GN, Karanala Mr.W.A.C.K.Wijesinghe, GN, Manampitiya Mr. W.M.Jayanath,GN,Mahawilatchchiya Mr.A.Dayananda,GN, Wijayabahupura Mr.Gamaini Wijayalath, GN, Pudur Mrs. L.P.G.,Ariyawathi, GN, Hatahmoona Mr. P.V.T.Bandara, GN, Hingurakgoda & Samapura Mr.H.M.K.Bandara, GN, Ungalawehera Mrs. Nalini Mallika, GN, Moragaswewa Mr. A.M.K. Abeysinghe,Pulathisiyawa Mr. W.U.Dasanayake, GN, Panduwaddana Mrs.M.M.Nanadawathi, GN, Minithirigama Prject Proponent: Ceylon Electricity Board Mr.R.Gunawardena,Env. Officer,CEB Mrs.K.K.Shyamali,EE,CEB Mr.M.T.A.Perera,ES,CEB The field visit commenced from Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat at 10.30 a.m on 24.03.2008.

Mr. Rohitha Gunawardena, Environment Officer of CEB explained the line route to the members of the committee and to other officers including Grama Niladaries. He explained that there is already an existing 132 kV transmission line between Habarana and Valachchanai grid substation, and for about 50% of the length of the new line is located parallel to the existing line in the same corridor. The balance part (after crossing the Mahaweli River) is deviated from the existing corridor, in order to avoid the forest through which the existing corridor is located. Mr.H.V.N.Perea CIPW - Dept. of Railways has identified three crossing points of the Batticaloa Railway line by this transmission line (in Welikanda, Vakarai and Rotawaewa areas) and he explained that this should be informed to the General Manager – Dept. of Railways and District Engineer - Trinco for further actions, As their concurrence is required to construct the transmission line and their staff/experts to be deployed when constructing the transmission line span which cross over the railway line . EO/ CEB explained that a permanent cradle guard/mesh will be installed by CEB under the transmission line at each point it crosses the railway. Divisional Secretary – Welikanda and GN – Manampitiya suggested to deviate a section of the line in order to avoid it passing through the Welikanda town. CEB officers have shown an alternative route with a deviation to relevant section, so that Welikanda town is totally avoided, to which both DS – Welikanda and other officers have agreed. It was suggested to make minimum damages to tree cover in the line corridor through Forest reserved areas. It was agreed by the CEB that the falling of trees is done, if there is no other alternatives, while trees which does not grow beyond 3 m could be left in the line corridor. AD(Planning) of Hingurakgoda DS office informed that there is a huge tower belonging to the existing 132kV line in the middle of Ananda Balaika Vidalaya School Play ground, and necessary steps should be taken to remove this tower before constructing the new line. CEB officers agreed to take up this matter with the relevant division of the CEB, and inform the position to the DS – Hingurakgoda. . EO – CEB has assured that steps will be taken to avoid new line passing through / above school playground. CEA officers informed that map coordinates should be provided with the IEER. AD(Planning) of Hingurkgoda DS office was in view that if the line traverse parallel to the existing HT line it will be closer to the runaway of Hingurkgoda Air strip belonging to the Air Force, and their consent will be necessary for the construction of this line. CEB officers explained the new line is to be located Southwest direction of the air port and although it is parallel to the existing line, it will be more away to the Air Port than the existing line. However, it has been agreed that the Air Force should be informed and the necessary steps should be taken to get their approval by the CEB, as there may be a proposal to expand the airstrip Officers of Department of Wildlife Conservation and Central Environmental Authority informed that since this line traverse through rich bio-diversity area, an ecologist should be consulted in preparation of the IEER, to which CEB officers agreed.

ADS of Palugaswewa informed that there is no issue in his area as only a small portion of the line traverse through Palugaswewa Divisional Secretray’s area and the GSS is to be constructed in the existing yard. Except for the proposed deviation in Welikanda DS Division, all the other participants including DSs and GNs have given their consent to the proposed transmission line route.