Rambakan Oya Multipurpose Irrigation Project:

'Landmark in country's irrigation history'

Priyanka Kurugala in Rambakan Oya, Ampara.

The water releasing ceremony of the Rambakan Oya Multipurpose Irrigation Project will take place with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on July 20.

The Rambakan Oya will be added as the 10th zone of Mahaweli. The government has spent Rs 3,970 million for the Rambakan Oya Multipurpose Irrigation Project.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva went on an inspection tour of the project area recently to see its progress. He said the launch of the Rambakan Oya Project will be of great significance to the country's irrigation history.

Minister de Silva said funds were allocated by the government and it has not sought financial support or technical knowledge from any foreign engineers for the project.

He added that the people affected by terrorism during the past 30 years are now provided with drinking water, and water for cultivation and other purposes under the Rambakan Oya Project.

Also about 4,000 acres of paddy will be irrigated with the launch of the project. This is another objective in the Mahinda Chinthanaya future vision, he said.

People living in Maha -Oya, Padiyathalawa, Rideemaliyadda will benefit, he added.

Senior Minister P Dayarathna, Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickrama, Irrigation Director General Bhadra Kamaladasa and Irrigation and Water Management Ministry Secretary Ivan De Silva also participated.