Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2015-10-28

Awarding Consultancy Contract on Project Programme Management, Design and Supervision for the Implementation of Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme

- The following projects have been planned to be implemented to avoid the water shortage in the Northern Province and the Eastern Province under the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme funded by the Asian Development Bank:

* transferring the Mahaweli water from Kaluganga - Moragahakanda Reservoirs through the 65km long Upper Elehera Canal to be distributed through the newly constructing North Central Canal Project.

* transferring the excessive Mahaweli water of Dambulu Oya and Nalanda Reservoir to the Upper Mee Oya basin and the Hakwatuna Oya basin to address the water shortage in the North Western Province through the newly constructing North Western Province Canal Project.

* Increasing the height of the Anicut situated at Minipe across the Maharani river and rehabilitate the 74 km long Minipe Left Bank Canal.

The proposal made by H.E. the President, Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment to award the consultancy service contract for the management, design and supervision of programmes relevant to these projects as per the recommendations made by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC), was approved by the Cabinet.