Chinese government to support Yan-oya development project

Nimal Wijesinghe

The Chinese Government would support the construction of Yan-oya reservoir irrigational development project in the proximity of Wahalkada in the Anuradhapura district.

A Chinese delegation will visit the proposed sight for the project before the end of this month on a fact finding tour.

Anuradhapura District Irrigation Engineer Wasantha Bandara Palugaswewa said a team of surveyors would begin the engineering survey in the area earmarked for the Yan-oya reservoir, covering about 500 square kilometers.

The Yan oya reservoir irrigation development project would be a scheme similar to Moragahakanda, capable of solving irrigational water problems in areas such as Kebithigollewa, Padaviya, Welioya, Medawachchiya etc.

In the meantime the construction work pertaining to the Ellapothana scheme over the Yan-Oya has been accelerated.

The project includes two main irrigational channels along left and the South banks of Yan oya and an anicut dam. Which is 60 meters in length and 20 meters in height anicut with radial gates fitted for releasing surplus water to the two canals, both nearly 20 kilometers long, according to the District Irrigation Engineer.

Once completed the anicut scheme would be able to feed more than 50 medium and micro scale tanks feeding 6,000 acres.