President instructs speeding up of Uma Oya construction

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed to complete the work of Uma Oya by August and to provide its benefits to the people quickly.

The President’s Office said 92% of the project has been completed and the President instructed the engineers and the relevant parties in charge to work on completing the remaining work.

The President mentioned this while on an observational visit to the Uma Oya multipurpose project to inquire on its progress on Friday.

One of the largest multinational projects carried on in Sri Lanka, the total investment for the Uma Oya project is $535 million. 

The construction work of the underwater power plant built under the Uma Oya was also observed by the President. This project, which provides 120 megawatts to the power grid of the country, is currently being completed. Under the Uma Oya multipurpose project 5000 acres of land in the South Eastern province dry zone is to be provided with irrigated water. Thus three hundred small rivers of Wellawaya in the Monaragala District will be nourished through this project.

The President also observed the construction of the main tunnel of the reservoir.

The President paid an observational visit to the two reservoirs being constructed in Puhuloya and Dayagara. The construction of the project is accomplished after closely observing and paying attention to climate changes.

The Secretary of Mahaweli Development and Environment Anura Dissanayake and officers, Ambassador of Iran for Sri Lanka and other parties joined the President on this observational visit.