Rs. 22 billion Uma Oya Development Project to benefit 5,000 families

The Kuda Oya Reservoir, constructed in the Kirindi Oya Valley under the Uma Oya Downstream Valley Development Project, was officially vested with the public on Thursday (01), under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha.

The project, with an estimated total cost of Rs. 22.017 billion, is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 families while strengthening irrigation and drinking water facilities in the Monaragala District.

The main objective of the project is to utilise water released following electricity generation at the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project by diverting it into the Kirindi Oya River Basin.

The water will be distributed through a major irrigation network connected to three main reservoirs: Alikota Ara, Handapanagala and Kuda Oya.

Under the project, irrigation water will be supplied to approximately 21,038 acres of agricultural land during the Yala and Maha cultivation seasons through the Handapanagala Left and Right Bank Canals, Alikota Ara Diversion Canal and Kuda Oya–Sinhalayagama Diversion Canal.

Additionally, approximately 10 million cubic metres of water have been allocated annually to meet drinking water requirements.

The development programme also includes the construction and improvement of feeder canal systems and the rehabilitation of 58 rural tanks and associated irrigation networks in the Wellawaya and Thanamalwila areas.

Furthermore, the project aims to strengthen water security for industrial and agricultural activities in the Hambantota District while promoting freshwater fisheries through the establishment of fisheries societies at the main reservoirs. (Newswire)