Reservoir project ready for public utilisation 

The construction of three major reservoirs in the Uma Oya Hydropower Complex (a.k.a. Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project or UOMDP) has been completed with plans to vest them with the public before the end of the year, according to project director Dr. Sunil De Silva.

One of the largest multipurpose projects in Sri Lanka, the Uma Oya project is being implemented with an investment of US$ 535 million. These tanks will provide irrigation and drinking water to the districts of Badulla, Monaragala and Hambantota.

The scheme intends to divert water from the Uma Oya basin in the wet zone to the Kirindi Oya basin in the Dry Zone, generating electrical energy through this process. Furthermore, nearly 300 megawatts of electricity is expected to be added to the national grid.

Water discharged from the power station will be directed to Alikota Ara, a tributary of Kirindi Oya, and then the Handapanagala reservoir and Kuda Oya, through the left and right bank canals.

Nearly 15,000 farming families are expected to benefit from the project, which will also add to the cultivation of paddy during the Yala and Maha seasons.