The government yesterday sent a 1000 kilowatts hour (KVA) generator to Kilinochchi and is tipped to deploy another 500 KVA generator to Mullaitivu, officials from the Ceylon Electricity Board said.

The 1000 KVA generator could light up around 1,500 homes in Kilinochchi while the smaller machine could benefit around 800 homes. A CEB official explained that these generators can provide electricity to a large number of households because there was generally low consumption in those areas.

Mullaitivu has not received power supply for many years due to the war while parts of Kilinochchi are currently lit up by two generators of 250 KVA each.

The 500 KVA generator was gifted to the CEB last week by Paul Wilson and his family, the founder members and former owners of FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd, UK. The donation—part of the tsunami relief effort—was made through Koolair Ltd, who suggested to the donor that the generator be given either to Kilinochchi or Mullaitivu. The CEB is to decide shortly which area will receive the machine but officials said it was likely to go to Mullaitivu.