The Asian Development Bank has agreed to grant US$ 675 million for the Construction work of Phase 1 and the Feasibility Study of Phase 2 of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme. 17 contract packages are due to be awarded under the Phase I of the project and out of which 10 contracts have already been awarded. As such, the following proposals made by the Minister of Irrigation pertaining to the procurement for constructing the North Central Main Canal and North Western Main Canal under this program, was approved by the Cabinet.

* To take action to award the contract for the construction of the Mahakithula Inlet Tunnel, Mahakithula and Mahakirula Reservoirs and feeder Canal from Mahakithula reservoir to Mahakirula reservoir to China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. which has already submitted bids for the same, on the prices agreed upon through negotiations.

* To take action to award the Contract for the construction of 28km long tunnel section through the Minneriya, Giritale, Hurulu Conservation Forests and Sanctuaries of 95.66 km long North Central Maha Ela Construction Project to be constructed to supply drinking water to the North Central Province and the Vavuniya District in the Nothern Province to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. which has submitted bids for the same, on the prices agreed upon through negotiations.