Saturday Nov 23, 2024
Saturday Nov 23, 2024
Wednesday, 24 April 2024 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Posters put up by a group of former Colombo Municipal Councillors seen in the city to welcome the Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi
In a significant boost to bilateral ties the Islamic Republic of Iran President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, is due today in Sri Lanka to further consolidate strong relations and enhance support.
His visit is in response to a special invitation extended by President Ranil Wickremasinghe, marking the first visit of an Iranian President to Sri Lanka since former President Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008.
During his one-day official visit, President Raisi will participate in a public ceremony marking the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) scheduled for today. This project, following the Mahaweli Development Project, is one of the largest irrigation projects in
Sri Lanka.
A highlight of President Raisi’s visit will be the signing of five memorandums of understanding (MoUs), aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Iran and Sri Lanka. The ceremony, chaired by the presidents of Iran and Sri Lanka, will symbolise the cooperation between the two nations in this significant infrastructure endeavour.
The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) is a significant endeavour of utmost importance to Sri Lanka. Its primary objective is to alleviate water scarcity in the southeastern dry region of the country by redirecting an annual average of 145 million cubic metres (MCM) of excess water from the Uma Oya basin to the Kirindi Oya basin.
It is crucial to note that this redirection is executed with meticulous attention to minimise any adverse effects on the environment and pre-existing water sources.
The President’s Media Division said as a result of this project, approximately 4,500 hectares of new land and 1,500 hectares of existing agricultural land in the Monaragala district will receive irrigation water. Moreover, the areas of Badulla, Monaragala, and Hambantota will benefit from 39 million cubic metres (MCM) of water for drinking and industrial purposes, while generating and adding 290 GWh of electrical
energy annually to the
National Grid.
The project encompasses the construction of two reservoirs at Puhulpola and Dyraaba, a conveyance tunnel (Link Tunnel) spanning 3.98 kilometres to connect the two reservoirs, a 15.2-kilometer-long Head Race Tunnel, Surge Shaft, Pressure Shaft, Underground Powerhouse, Switchyard, Transmission line, Tailrace Tunnel, and related infrastructure.
Pursuant to an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed between the Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development on behalf of Government of Sri Lanka and the Minister of Energy of Islamic Republic of Iran on 27 November 2007, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the execution of the Contract Agreement between the Executing Agency, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management of Sri Lanka and Farab Energy and Water Projects (Farab Company) of Iran dated 28 April 2008 to implement the “Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project” by Farab Company, as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract.
Farab Company has undertaken the detailed feasibility studies, prepared detailed engineering designs, procured all materials, equipment and machinery, and carried out the physical construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the project.
The total contract sums amount to $ 514 million and the contract became effective on 15 March 2010. Initially, the Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) funded $ 50 million until 2013. However, due to international sanctions against Iran, they were unable to continue providing funds for the project. Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka decided to proceed with the project using government funds while continuing with the same contractor, Farab Company.
When the project commenced on 15 March 2010, its scheduled completion date was 15 March 2015. However, due to various factors such as technical issues, particularly unexpected water ingress into the Headrace tunnel (HRT), social impacts, financial challenges, and disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic during the construction period, the completion date has been extended to 31 March 2024. Additionally, the overall project period, including the defect and liability period, has been extended to 31 March 2025.
The project completed its commissioning phase in February and March 2024, successfully synchronising Units 01 and 02 with the national grid. It then proceeded to complete its trial operations on 1 April 2024.
The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project involves significant engineering challenges, particularly due to the 700-metre difference in height between Bandarawela and Wellawaya. Adjusting the tunnel route at such a height is a complex task. Additionally, the construction of a deep pressure shaft to channel water onto turbines is an unprecedented feat. Such innovative engineering solutions are rarely seen globally, making the completion of this project, a remarkable achievement.
Following the completion of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, the project components will be transferred to the operating authorities, namely the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL). This transition will occur after the Ministry of Irrigation takes over the project components from the contractor.
An irrigation system spanning over 60 metres in length is currently being constructed. It is anticipated that this system will supply irrigation water to 1,500 hectares of already cultivated land and an additional 4,500 hectares of newly developed land, supporting agricultural activities in both the Yala and Maha seasons.
The Uma Oya Downstream Development Project, facilitated directly by the Irrigation Department, is poised to alleviate the longstanding water scarcity issues in the Kirindi Oya Basin. Under the guidance of the government, officials have been directed to execute an integrated agricultural development initiative leveraging modern technology to optimise water utilisation. Additionally, the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project has effectively addressed the challenge of supplying water for both domestic and industrial purposes in the Bandarawela and Wellawaya regions.
Iranian development assistance to Sri Lanka primarily consists of loans, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure, irrigation, and power sectors. Sri Lanka has already repaid
$ 19,301,572.6 to Iran, with a remaining gross payable amount of $ 35,246,022.56.
