Moragahakanda project to begin on Jan. 25

Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government will launch the Moragahakanda reservoir project aiming to supply irrigation water to over 81,000 hectares of lands in the North Central and Eastern provinces, on January 25.

Irrigation and Mahaweli Development Minister Maitripala Sirisena said the work on the reservoir which will be constructed across the Ambanganga will be ceremonially commenced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Moragahakanda reservoir, expected to have a total water capacity of 21 million cubic metres, is a recommended project under the Major Mahaweli Plan. Its main objective is to provide water to people living in the dry zone for drinking as well as agricultural purposes.

"The reservoir will satisfy the water requirement of 21,422 hectares of agricultural lands in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts, ensure drinking water for Anuradhapura and Trincomalee and supply additional water for the industries in Trincomalee," he said. It is expected that the project would increase the productivity of the agriculture sector up to 165-185 per cent and save US $ 2.2 million in foreign exchange.

Sirisena said the generation of electricity was only a secondary objective of the project which will contribute 20 Mega Watts to the national grid.

The estimated expenditure of the Moragahakanda project is Rs 40 billion. Out of the total cost, Rs 500 million will be provided by the Government while the United States and Japan have also agreed to give financial assistance.