President Undertakes Inspection Visit to Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook an inspection visit to the Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project this morning (29) to review the progress of the project, which is set to become another major reservoir development contributing to the Rajarata irrigation system.

The project, which commenced 10 years ago, was subsequently stalled due to various reasons. 

Under the current Government, work on the project has been recommenced, with Rs. 5 billion allocated for 2026.

Construction has since been expedited by addressing the issues that had emerged and the project, which is being implemented entirely with domestic funding, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.

The Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir is being constructed by damming the Malwathu Oya at Bogoda in Thanthirimale, linking the Anuradhapura District in the North Central Province with the Vavuniya District in the Northern Province.

With a water storage capacity of 169,400 acre-feet, the reservoir will become the largest in the North Central Province upon completion.

The project is expected to provide a permanent solution to the drinking water needs of people in the Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Mannar districts, supply water required for rural development and agriculture in the lower Malwathu Oya basin, establish a new development zone in the Thanthirimale area, generate hydroelectricity, control floods and promote tourism industry and freshwater fisheries.

During the visit, the President held discussions with project officials and reviewed the progress of construction, as well as the issues, challenges and requirements that have emerged during the implementation of the project. 

He emphasised the need to expedite the construction work and ensure that the benefits of the project are delivered to the people without delay.