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President Maithripala Sirisena commissioned the Moragahakanda Reservoir Project under the joint Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Reservoir Development Scheme, on 11 January, with the commencing of water filling of Moragahakanda reservoir. President Sirisena also participated in the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of Ehala Elahera Ela (canal) at the auspicious time.
Addressing the public rally held at the ground of the Elahera Maha Vidyalaya, after the ceremony, the President said : “Today is the happiest day of my life because my dream became a reality, ending the sorrowful stories of the Rajarata farmers. This project is expected to solve the long-term water issues, faced by the tens of thousands of farmers in the north-western, northern and eastern parts of the island.”
According to the President, the Moragahakanda Reservoir, which is the fourth largest in the country, covers 460,000 acre feet in the main dam and two other dams and is the largest reservoir that has been constructed in this country in 30 years.
The 103-km-long Ihala Elahera canal to be built from Moragahakanda to Mahakandarawa in Anuradhapura will be the longest canal in Sri Lanka, costing Rs. 6,500 crore, and will be built within five years.
Moragahakanda reservoir is located on Amban Ganga, a major tributary of Mahaweli, originating in the northern slopes of Hunnasgiriya mountains, flows in a north-easterly course and joins Mahaweli near Manampitiya in the Polonnaruwa District. Kalu Ganga, which collects rains from the Knuckles Range, is a major source of water and joins Amban Ganga 14km downstream of Elahera.
The ancient Elahera diversion, located two km downstream of Moragahakanda dam, was built by King Washaba, conveying water to Minneriya, Giritale and Kantale reservoirs. The Angamedilla anicut also on Amban Ganga midway between Elahera and Manampitiya feeds the Parakrama Samudraya with a 24-mile-long canal.
In this article, only the water distribution of Moragahakanda is discussed, but the ADB-funded project incorporates several other related sub-projects.
Moragahakanda dam is funded and built by China. But the water distribution network is funded by Asian Development Bank. As per ADB policy, project details are available to public over the internet. Moragahakanda waters would be distributed to ultimate users in three phases. According to the report, the basis of distribution of water is for the most needy, for regions receiving less than 1,500mm of rain. But has this basis been implemented?
Water from Moragahakanda reservoir would be conveyed northwards through the 67km long Upper Elahera Canal (UEC) terminating at Yakalla. The canal will convey up to 974 MCM (million cubic meters) of water annually. The canal crossing Minneriya-Giritale National Park is divided into three stages (a) First 12.5km of open canals; (b) Two tunnels of 6km and 26km and (c) Remaining 30km of open and cut-cover canals and four tunnels from 70m to 1.6km.
At Yakalla canal would trifurcate to 1. to NCP canal (640 MCM), 2. to Huruluwewa on Yan Oya (128 MCM) and 3. Manankattiya reservoir located east of Huruluwewa and feeder canal to Mahakanadarawa located north-east of Mihintale (159 MCM) feeding existing irrigation and water supply schemes.
Under Phase 1, water would be transferred from Manankattiya reservoir via a feeder canal to Mahakanadarawa tank referred as NCP Minor.
North Central Province Canal commencing from Yakalla with 640 MCM/annum water from Upper Elahara Canal, will be extended 30km northwards to Kahatagasdigiliya, to irrigate 47,500Ha. The land proposed for irrigation are in North Central Province around Horowpatana that receives over 1500mm of rain.
The final stretch of the 60km long NCP canal, through Kebithigollawa terminating at Chemadukulam reservoir, providing water to 8,000Ha under minor tanks system in NCP. The water will follow natural drainage channels and deliver 100 MCM/annum to Iranamadu reservoir and irrigate 10,000Ha under Iranamadu Tank.
Unfortunately, the President’s function was ill-timed and ill-advised political activity for following reasons.
1. Commencing filling of Moragahakanda reservoir was ill-timed due to non-availability of water in the river.
2. Ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of Ehala Elahera Ela (canal) at the auspicious time was only an eye-wash and cannot be continued.
Water filling of any newly-built dam is an important event, but Moragahakanda dam construction is not complete, as seen in the photographs at the event, although it could hold some water. Most importantly, water flowing in the river is insufficient for storage.
Prior to the event, the entire country was going through an unprecedented drought, resulting in very poor water flow. In collecting water for storage in any dam, big or small, sufficient water should be released for the benefit of the downstream users, referred to as E-water or Environmental water for bathing and drinking needs of the people and cultivations and also for the animals and the survival of fish downstream in the river.
The dam is funded and constructed by Chinese and when the writer visited the construction site nearly a month before the function, all construction had been stopped. A few Chinese were fishing in the river downstream of the dam. The stoppage of work on Chinese projects (except Port City) is to exert pressure on the Government to sign the Hambantota agreement. People in Colombo would have noticed the tall tower crane at Lotus Tower idling during the past months, turning only to indicate wind direction. However, photographs and videos of the ceremony indicated signs of recommencement of construction, possibly for the ceremony.
Filling of any dam should coincide with the commencement of rainy season either in May or September, never in the height of drought. Recent rains brought some relief, but the waters of Amban Ganga feed Minneriya, Giritale and Parakrama Samudra tanks whose current storage is less than 40% capacity.
This refers to Upper Elahera Canal (UEC) the main canal transferring water from Moragahakanda reservoir northwards. The construction of the UEC is in three stages (a) First 12.5km of open canals; (b) Two tunnels of 6km and 26km and (c) Remaining 30km of open and cut-cover canals and four tunnels of 70m to 1.6km. With ADB funding there would be no negotiated contracts as in the previous Government. So far, tenders have not been invited and possible construction would be months away.
The President informed the public: “Today is the happiest day of my life because my dream became a reality, ending the sorrowful stories of the Rajarata farmers. This project is expected to solve the long-term water issues faced by the tens of thousands of farmers in the north-western, northern and eastern parts of the island.” The President would have said the above words with his whole heart, but is he aware of the truth about the entire project?
According to the ADB report, Sri Lanka is fortunate to have abundant rainfall averaging 2,500 cubic meters (m3) per person and about 50,000MCM of water discharged to sea. While the centre of the country gets abundant rain, the north and extreme south (Hambantota area) get insufficient rains. The Northern Province receives the lowest rainfall, mainly during the December to February period.
According to report, the basis of distribution of water is for the most needy, for regions receiving less than 1,500mm of rain. The 1,500mm rainfall boundary is the dividing line between the dry and wet zone. The line falls just below Anuradhapura and leads towards Mullaitivu and Jaffna peninsula gets only 1,250mm.
While ancient kings transferred water from Amban Ganga to irrigate the present Polonnaruwa District, Kantalai was the northern limit. The region receives 1,500 to 2,000mm of rain, and is also blessed with past irrigation systems. Mannar District gets the lowest rainfall, but for over 1,000 years Yodawewa near Mannar received water from Malwathu Oya, passing through Anuradhapura. After Polgolla diversion, Malwathu Oya is supplemented with runoff discharged from System H and Anuradhapura tanks, thus Mannar District receives plenty of water. Moragahakanda scheme is expected to supply water to deficient regions in the country, which would be regions north of Anuradhapura not served by current irrigation schemes.
Under Phase 1, Upper Elahera Canal from Moragahakanda terminates at Yakalla and trifurcate delivering water to existing Huruluwewa on Yan Oya (128 MCM), Manankattiya/Mahakanadarawa Reservoirs (159 MCM) and NCP canal (414 MCM) feeding existing irrigation and water supply schemes.
Does Huruluwewa located on Yan Oya need additional waters? President Rajapaksa inaugurated the Yan Oya Reservoir Project in 2012, costing $210 million, funded by China and is almost complete. Under the project a 2.5km long dam is constructed at Angurugasweva across Yan Oya building a reservoir with a capacity of 254MCM. Water from the reservoir will be diverted to Padaviya tank located within the NCP.
The 30km feeder canal supplying water to Mahakanadarawa, referred as NCP1 (Minor) will also supply Nachchaduwa, Nuwarawewa and other tanks around Anuradhapura. But all these tanks except Mahakanadarawa already gets Mahaweli water from Kalawewa diverted from Polgolla.
Under Phase 2, of the project (2024-2027) NCP Canal commencing from Yakalla with 414 MCM/annum water from UEC, will extend northwards to Kahatagasdigiliya and irrigate 47,500Ha in North Central Province around Horowpatana, which receives over 1500mm of rain, the largest consumer of Moragahakanda waters.
Under Phase 3 (2028-2032) 60km long NCP Canal from Kahatagasdigiliya will provide water to 8,000Ha under minor tanks system in NCP and will reach Chemmadukulum in the Northern Province. The water will follow natural drainage channels and reach Iranamadu tank via Kanakrayan Aru and is expected to irrigate 10,000Ha. If all goes well, Iranamadu tank will finally get 100 MCM/annum or near 10% of Moragahakanda waters. But a project is already underway to pump Iranamadu waters to Jaffna Peninsula for drinking purposes.
Although the President wished to solve the long-term water issues faced by the tens of thousands of farmers in the north-western, northern and eastern parts of the island, unfortunately, no water from Moragahakanda will reach east nor the northern farmers; in the north Moragahakanda waters will barely replace pumped out waters.
The President is unaware that the current project is a distorted version. The supply of water to north-western region under the ADB program is not from Moragahakanda, but Mahaweli waters diverted through Bowatenna tunnel on the way to Kalawewa. Thus the President’s promise would only be a dream.
The original Moragahakanda project proposed by Maithreepala Senanayaka in the 1960s envisaged a reservoir on Amban Ganga, and transfer of water through a canal system to the lowest rainfall region in the country, north of Vauniya. The Sirimavo Bandaranaike Government diverted Mahaweli at Polgolla and the J.R. Jayewardene Government implemented the Accelerated Mahaweli Development.
Communal problems in 1983 suspended Moragahakanda when countries boycotted Sri Lanka, although Japanese were prepared to fund the project. The general understanding among the ruling parties were that, in a final settlement of the ethnic issue, Moragahakanda waters would be offered to the north as a gift from the south. Over the decades the Mahaweli Authority prepared the project documents.
Moragahakanda project finally commenced in January 2007, when Maithripala Sirisena as Minister for Mahaweli, detailed plans for the implementation had been completed. But President Rajapaksa wished to hand over the Ministry to brother Basil, but failed. The construction works stood still as Rajapaksa denied funds. After re-election in 2010 Mahaweli Ministry was handed over to Chamal Rajapaksa, but brother Basil ran the Ministry. After winning the 30-year war, thinking among Rajapaksa’s was “water from Sinhala areas should not be given to Tamils”.
The entire project was modified, under the instructions of Basil Rajapaksa and the President. The modifications delayed the project by four years and the modified report was presented to ADB in December 2014. Meanwhile, the construction of Moragahakanda dam continued. Current program denies Moragahakanda waters to north and directs to water abundant regions in North Central Province.
Moragahakanda dam was expected to be completed by July 2016, is already delayed nearly a year. The Upper Elahera canal is expected to be completed by 2024, but the award of contracts are already late and possibly be completed by 2026 (if all goes well). Thus the project implemented with $370 million foreign and Rs.12.2 billion local, totalling Rs. 61.2 billion will idle for 10 long years; there would be no users for Moragahakanda water. People blamed the previous government for unutilised Hambantota Harbour and Mattala Airport. It is apparent that Moragahakanda too would join the same club.
The project currently being implemented had been modified as per instructions of senior ministers of previous Government. The persons finalised the report did not agree with the instructions and left sufficient evidence. The report is available over the Internet under ‘ADB – Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Project Number: 47381.’
The modifications drastically reduced the water issued to rainfall deficient regions north of Vavuniya and were distributed among regions with higher rainfall and irrigation facilities. The details of the modifications carried out to the project was highlighted in my article in Daily FT under “Moragahakanda project hijacked, needs rectification” and is available at http://www.ft.lk/article/485473/Moragahakanda-Project-hijacked.
It is clear the President who is also the Minister for Mahaweli Development is unaware of the modifications carried out to his pet project by the senior ministers of the previous Government. Also, staff of Mahaweli Authority who carried out instructions are unwilling to disclose to enable corrective measures. Thus, the country is saddled with a project costing Rs. 61.2 billion that will not address the basic water needs of the most needy people of the country; the people beyond Vavuniya, who receive least rainfall and without irrigation facilities.
In major projects as Moragahakanda citizens are informed of the positive aspects and in most cases details are not available. However, when funded by an international donor agency as Asian Development Bank details are presented over the internet. But how many have the interest, the time to read and understand technical details, especially when ADB’s Moragahakanda report runs to 1,415 pages. But when comments are made, do they get sufficient attention?
Any minister taking over a ministry is responsible for the workings /planning under the ministry and to ensure value for money spent, especially when large finances are involved. The minister is expected to ensure best productive use of finances. Officials during the planning stage, may have overlooked certain aspects, could be pointed out by the citizens at meetings and over the media. Ministers cannot go through every newspaper, but their press officers are expected to bring relevant facts to the attention to the minister. The President, Prime Minister and some Ministers have highly paid consultants for advice. Therefore, the President nor ministers can claim to be ignorant to the facts presented, especially in responsible newspapers.
But how efficient are our politicians in time management, the most precious commodity that cannot be borrowed or loaned. They spend time on trivial social events as funerals, school and temple functions, while neglecting organisations under their control. Resulting, policy matters that need guidance are overlooked.
It is clear that Maithripala Sirisena who was the Mahaweli Minister during 2007-2010 and currently is completely unaware of the modifications made to his pet project during 2010 to 2014.
The water distribution as currently modified will issue excessive water to farmers in NCP, encourage paddy cultivation in both seasons, taking lower effort, waste water and move away from subsidiary crops. Sri Lankan farmer already uses the highest quantum of water for rice cultivation in the world. The country is almost self-sufficient in rice and our costs of production does not allow exports.
If a substantial portion of Moragahakanda water is directed to the north, cultivations could be improved in Kilinochchi and Jaffna Districts. To supply irrigation water to Jaffna will require pumping. Pumping of 240MCM of Mahaweli water is already envisaged under Phase 2 to supplement Minneriya tank group and Kantalai and is not a new phenomenon. Additional water would enable northern farmers, the most resourceful cultivators in the country, to use full potential and will supply the country with onions, potatoes, grapes, etc., that are currently imported.
When northerners get used to water from the south, they would not dream of separation and Moragahakanda water will create a united Sri Lanka forever. Sending water to the north may deprive water to a few southerners, but the benefits to the country far outweigh the losses.
The long-awaited project to supply water to the starved north had been hijacked by the Rajapaksa Government and the current Mahaweli Minister is unaware of the modifications. This article is a reminder to the relevant officials to rectify the situation.
Original proposals should be available with the Mahaweli Authority and correcting the situation would not be difficult. Most important is the timeframe. As presently planned Moragahakanda water will reach Yakalla in 2026 and Iranamadu tank in Kilinochchi after 2032. Therefore, a modified program similar to Accelerated Mahaweli is required to give water to Iranamadu simultaneously as Yakalla.
Supplying water to Yakalla is funded by the ADB, the rest needs additional funding. The Japanese who wished to fund the project in the 1980s, Norway, Sweden and Western countries who were sympathetic to the Tamil cause would be willing to fund the revised program.
If President Maithripala Sirisena could reverse unethical amendments to the project and expedite the water supply to the water-deficient north in an accelerated scheme, his name would sure to go down in in history for having united the nation.
