Aug 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka today launched another major irrigation project that would provide irrigational and drinking water facilities to the farming community in North Central and Eastern provinces.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially inaugurated the Yan Oya Reservoir Project today by launching the construction of the main levee of the reservoir across the lower side of the Yan Oya.

Speaking at the occasion, the President said the government is committed to fulfill the aspirations of all the people in the country and has accepted the responsibility of providing enhanced livelihood to everyone following the end of terrorism.

The President said massive irrigation projects will be launched in each province in the country to boost agriculture and solve drinking water problems.

He said that measures have already been taken to provide housing to the people who lost their abodes due to the implementation of the Yan Oya project.

The project, estimated to cost US$210 million, is 85 percent funded by China and the China CAMC Engineering Corporation will undertake the construction work.

Yan Oya Reservoir Project will boost agricultural production and inland fishery development benefitting the local economy and creating more employment opportunities for the local youth in the Northeast.

Under the project a 2.5 kilometer dam will be constructed at Angurugasweva across the lower side of the Yan Oya to build a reservoir with a capacity of 254 million cubic meters water. Water from the reservoir will be diverted to another major reservoir in Padaviya from which nearly 9,500 hectares will receive irrigation water.

The project would be capable of solving water problems for areas in the North Central Province including Kebithigollewa, Padaviya, Welioya, and Medawchchiya.

The project, expected to be completed in 4 years, is expected to benefit 10,000 farmer families and provide direct and indirect employment to 7,200 persons.

(Photos by Chandana Perera)