August 30, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for the accelerated completion of the Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project, stressing the need to ensure that its long-awaited benefits reach communities across the North Central and Northern provinces.
The President made the remarks during an inspection visit to the project site on 29 August, where he assessed the latest construction progress and discussed outstanding challenges with officials overseeing the development.
The Lower Malwathu Oya project, first launched around a decade ago, experienced prolonged delays stemming from a range of technical and administrative difficulties. Construction has now resumed under the present administration, with Rs. 5 billion earmarked for the project in the 2026 budget.
Authorities expect the project to be completed by the end of 2029. Unlike many large-scale infrastructure schemes that depend on overseas financing, the development is being funded entirely through domestic resources.
The reservoir is being created by constructing a dam across the Malwathu Oya at Bogoda in Thanthirimale, an area connecting Anuradhapura District in the North Central Province with Vavuniya District in the Northern Province. Once completed, the reservoir is expected to hold approximately 169,400 acre-feet of water, making it the largest reservoir in the North Central Province.
Beyond its contribution to the Rajarata irrigation network, the project is intended to address several long-standing needs in the region. These include strengthening drinking water supplies in Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Mannar, supporting agriculture and rural economic activity in the lower Malwathu Oya basin, and opening up new opportunities for development around Thanthirimale.
The scheme is also expected to contribute to flood management and renewable power generation while creating scope for freshwater fisheries and tourism-related activities.
During his visit, President Dissanayake received an update on the current stage of construction and examined the practical difficulties affecting the work. Discussions also focused on the resources and other requirements necessary to maintain momentum at the site.
The President instructed officials to address remaining obstacles promptly and maintain the pace of construction, underlining that the project should be completed efficiently so that its economic, agricultural and social benefits can be delivered to the people as soon as possible.