Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-12-06

Construction of the Tunnel of the Upper Elehara Canal under the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program

- The objective of Stage I of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program is to improve the agro-economic crop production of the area providing Mahaweli water for agricultural activities, drinking water and commercial activities in the North Central and North Western Provinces. Under this programme, it has been planned to construct a 65.5km long canal from Moragahakanda reservoir to Huruluwewa Reservoir, capable of conveying 974 Million Cu.m. of water per year. In designing the canal a section in extent of 26 km long has been designed to trace through the Giritale and Minneriya sanctuary and the forest reserves. The proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to construct the said part as a tunnel section, to minimize the damage caused to the environment and wild animals, was approved by the Cabinet.