Progress review of projects implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation was held under the patronage of Minister K.D. Lalkantha.
The progress review of projects under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation – CResMPA, MWSIP, CSIAP, IWWRMP and Knuckles Project – was held today (22nd) at Govijana Mandiraya under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha.
Attention was also paid to the problems currently arising during project implementation. When discussing the progress of the CResMPA project, it was revealed that the project has so far achieved 52% progress.
Under MWSIP (Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program), plans have been prepared to develop irrigation canals in the North Central Province. This program was started in 2016 with funds from the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka, and was expected to be completed in 10 years. In the face of the Covid pandemic and economic downturn that occurred in the past period, this project became problematic. At present, its progress is about 30%. Approximately 500 million dollars is needed for the remaining work of the project. Discussions are currently being held with the Asian Development Bank and other financial institutions to obtain the necessary funds for it.
Under the second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program, it is planned to complete the section of the North Central Province Canal up to Yakalla in 4 years. Under this, exportable agricultural crops such as mango, guava, pomegranate, pineapple and passion fruit will be cultivated on 5000 hectares of highland.
The Minister instructed the project officers in charge to resolve the problems that arise during project implementation and to complete the project work within the relevant time frame.
Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath Vitharana, Secretary of the Ministry D.P. Wickramasinghe, and other officers participated in this occasion.
