The 600 million dollar project was to be a Sri Lanka-India joint venture.

However, minister Susil Premajayantha has now submitted a proposal to the president to build a solar power plant in its place, and the president has instructed him to look into the matter further.

Originally scheduled to be completed in late 2016, agreements have also been signed for the coal power plant project, which was later decided to be completed by 2022.

Now, the CEB has highlighted the need for another power plant to meet the increasing demand, a situation which is likely to worsen by 2019.

Therefore, authorities will have to find solutions before 2022, and the expert advice has been that firewood, wind, solar and other renewable energy sources be tapped gradually.

There is also opinion against the Sampur coal power plant over environmental and security concerns.

Despite all the hurdles, the new government could say no to antagonize India, although it was the CEB which requested for a coal power plant at the location.

It is said that India intends to use Sri Lanka as a geographic location to control the South Asian region.