Deduruoya project inauguration in 2013

Priyanka Kurugala in Deduruoya

The Deduruoya irrigation project, Sri Lanka’s first modern reservoir built utilizing local engineering technology will be inaugurated in mid 2013. This is the sixth largest irrigation project in the country and the largest irrigation project in the Kurunegala district, Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

“Fifty percent of the construction of the Deduruoya project has been completed. It would be possible to cultivate around 27,000 acres of paddy under this project,” the minister said.

He said so while participating in an observation tour of the Deduruoya project on Saturday.

De Silva said, the total estimated cost of this project is Rs 7.5 billion. “Around 80 percent of the left bank construction has been completed. The authorities have estimated that it would be possible to provide drinking water to around 50,000 families under this project,” he said. Farmers who cultivate only one season per a year under the Deduruoya would be able to cultivate Yala and Maha seasons after completing all constructions of the Deduruoya project, the minister said.

“This will be a boost for development and enhance the living standard of the people in the area,” he said. Minister de Silva said, there will be around 300 mini reservoirs under the major reservoir.