The progress review of projects under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, including CResMPA, MWSIP, CSIAP, IWWRMP, and the Knuckles Project, was held today (22) at the Govi Jana Mandiraya, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation,. K.D. Lalakantha.
During the meeting, attention was also focused on the issues currently arising in the implementation of the projects. In discussing the progress of the CResMPA project, it was revealed that the project has currently achieved 52% progress.
“Progress review of projects under the Ministry is held chaired by the Minister”
Plans have been prepared to develop the North Central Province Canal under the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP). This program was initiated in 2016 with funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Sri Lanka and is expected to be completed in 10 years. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns, this project faced problematic conditions, and its current progress is only about 30%. Approximately $500 million is needed for the remaining work of the project. Discussions are currently underway with the Asian Development Bank and other financial institutions to secure the necessary funds.
Under the second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program, the section of the North Central Province Canal up to Yakalla is planned to be completed within 4 years. Under this, exportable agricultural crops such as mango, guava, pomegranate, pineapple, and sweet orange will be cultivated on 5,000 hectares of high-ground land.
The Minister advised the project officers to work towards completing the project activities within the stipulated timeframe by resolving the issues that arise during project implementation. He stated that although projects had been halted midway due to past political conditions, the current government’s objective is not to waste large amounts of money.
Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation, Aravinda Senarath Vitharana, Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickremasinghe, and other officials participated in the event.
