In August 2009, the Embassy visited a number of rural villages in Mannar and Vavunia that had received electricity for the first time, through a rural electrification scheme supported by Norway.
In 2004, Norway allocated more than 1 billion rupees to Sri Lanka to support rural electrification in the north. The objective has been to provide electricity and reconnect people in the conflict affected areas to the main power grid. It is estimated that a total number of households that would be connected are 27,000. The grant is used to develop 102 rural schemes, covering over 18,000 households in the northern districts, and upgrade the medium voltage network to cater the additional load. The support has been delayed by the recent conflict, but it is estimated to be finalised by the end of the year. The grant is administered by ADB. The component is implemented by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.