The sluice gates of the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga reservoir project were opened by President Maithripala Sirisena, a short while ago.

The Moragahakanda Reservoir of the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga Reservoir, which is the largest multi-purpose development project in Sri Lanka, has reached its spill level and its sluice gates were opened today for the very first time.

President Maithripala Sirisena also took part in the inspection tour of Moragahakanda Reservoir Project premises in the morning.

The project is hailed as the 21st century’s irrigation wonder of Sri Lanka and it is set to give support for over 1.5 million agricultural families, according to the President’s Media Division.

The reservoir is expected to irrigate over 82 000 hectares of farm lands in the dry zone. It will generate 25 MW hydro-powers to the national grid.

The Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Project is envisioned to supply clean drinking water and industrial water to the people of the dry zone areas of the North Central, North-western and Northern Provinces. It will open up 5000 hectares of new land for agriculture development in Northern, North Central, Eastern and North Western provinces.

Besides its contributions to development of agriculture, the project seeks to increase inland fish production. Eco tourism and effective flood control are its other targets.