President inspects Lower Malwathu Oya project

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday (29) inspected the Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project, which is expected to become the largest reservoir in the North Central Province upon completion.

The project, which began about 10 years ago before being stalled, has been restarted under the present government, with Rs. 5 billion allocated for 2026. It is being funded entirely through domestic resources and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.

The reservoir, being constructed across the Malwathu Oya at Bogoda in Thanthirimale, will have a storage capacity of 169,400 acre-feet.

Officials told the President that around 60% of construction work on the 3.4-kilometre main dam has been completed, while work on other components, including a power plant, is also underway.

The project is expected to improve drinking water supplies in Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Mannar, expand agricultural water availability, support flood control, hydroelectricity generation, tourism and freshwater fisheries.

President Dissanayake also instructed officials to expedite construction and address the needs of 315 families affected by the project, including providing them with land and houses with electricity and drinking water facilities.