Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2019-10-15

Project pertaining to a River for Jaffna

- As there are no rivers in the Jaffna peninsula, 'A River Project for Jaffna' has been planned to be carried out in 2 phases as a 5 year project with the objective of overcoming the water shortage in the Jaffna peninsula and reducing salinity in wells bordering the Vadamarachchi Lagoon, increasing the water for agriculture by providing 08 million cubic meters of fresh water per year to the said area and increasing the water availability for drinking and domestic purposes by making fresh water amply available. This project will assist in developing 12,610 hectares of unutilized lands and 1,315 hectares of lands used for paddy, field crops, plantation and grazing purposes and over 300,000 people will be benefited. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment for the implementation of the said project at a cost of Rs.3,609 million, was approved by the Cabinet.