Presidents of Sri Lanka and Iran to inaugurate 25 billion rupee project

By Ranjan Kasthuri

The Uma Oya multi-purpose project at Wellawaya, Alikote, built with Iranian aid at a cost of Rs. 25 billion, will be inaugurated by the Presidents of Iran and Sri Lanka on April 29 at 10 am.

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said the project would add 100 Megawatts of electricity to the national grid and supply water to cultivate of 8,000 acres of paddy.

He said a dam will be built at Welimada, Puhulpola across the Uma Oya while water will be brought to Kirindi Oya in Wellawaya through a 22 km long tunnel, to cultivate 5000 acres of paddy land in Wellassa Handapanagala together with 3000 acres of paddy lands in Kuda Oya.

The Uma Oya Project will supply water to the proposed Hambantota harbour, the air port at Weerawila and also the new industrial town at Hambantota, in addition to being used in the development work in the area, the minister said.

He said compensation will be paid at the present value to those who lose their land and homes while it has been planned to provide them alternate housing too. The minister said nearly 20,000 acres in the Welimada area will be developed due to the Uma Oya Project, which is proposed to be completed in four years.