Japan, Saudi Arabia fund Moragahakanda project

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Government has allocated Rs. 3750 million for the work of Moragahakanda- Kaluganga Reservoir Project, which is the largest and the final agri-reservoir project in Sri Lanka under the Mahaweli Development Scheme.

Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said Japan and Saudi Arabia have come up to fund the project .

Minister Sirisena said so after ceremonially opening a new project office at Moragahakanda, which was built at a cost of Rs. 67 million, Mahaweli Authority sources said.

He said the Government had imparted Rs. 3750 million to step up the project in 2009 with the funds pledged by Japanese and Saudi Arabian governments.

The total cost of Moragahakanda- Kaluganga Reservoir Project is estimated to be US dollars 617 million (Rs. 65,000 million), the sources said.

The project was launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2007.

The Government has spent Rs. 500 million for the construction of the project in 2007 and Rs. 1,500 million in 2008. Minister Sirisena inspected the first phase of the project , which is nearing completion with Kongahawela -Moragahakanda highway being built at a cost of Rs. 900 million and a bridge across Amban Ganga being constructed at Rs. 325 million.