President Maithripala Sirisena has assured that he will continue a multi-million-dollar mega dam project in the central part of the island nation and stressed that he would not allow its discontinuation, an official said.

The Xinhua news agency reported that, during an emergency visit to the Moragahakanda reservoir project, which is partly funded by China Development Bank and is being carried out by Sinohydro Cooperation Ltd, the president said the project would resolve the agriculture and drinking water issues faced by the local farmers in Rajarata.

The president also looked into the progress of the project and instructed the Sinohydro in Sri Lanka to complete the work within the stipulated period. The project is expected to near completion in 2016.

The project has been given priority to ensure the water requirements for agriculture purposes to benefit over 100,000 farmers and their families, especially in the north, central and eastern provinces of the island nation.
The mega irrigation project also aims to uplift the economic conditions of farmers and also boost the country’s national economy.

The project will overcome water shortages affecting 87,439 hectares in Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts in the central and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

The entire capacity of the Moragahakanda Reservoir will be 569. 9 million cubic meters. The land area submerged by the Moragahakanda Reservoir is 29.5 square kilometers.