- The main objective of this programme is to maximize the productivity of Mahaweli waters by transferring the available water to the North Western, North Central and Northern Provinces for irrigation, drinking and commercial purposes. The Construction of a new and improved water conveyance and storage of infrastructure under this programme will increase the productivity of the agricultural lands and also provide safe drinking water for people living in the above provinces mitigating the risks of the chronic kidney disease prevalent in these areas. Three investment projects, namely the Upper Elahera Canal Project, the North Western Province Canal Project and the Minipe Left Bank Canal Rehabilitation Project, will be implemented under the above investment programme. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs, to enter into loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank for obtaining the necessary funds to implement the 1st Phase of this programme, was approved by the Cabinet.