(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The completed Kalu Ganga Reservoir project was vested with the public by President Maithripala Sirisena today (7). The Kalu Ganga Reservoir Project comes under the mega Moragahakanda – Kalu Ganga Multi-Purpose Development Project, considered to be the irrigation marvel of the 21st Century.
The water capacity of the Kalu Ganga Reservoir is 248 million cubic metres and the length and the height of the main dam is 618 meters and 68 meters respectively.
The project will meet the water demands of 3000 families who have been resettled at the lower valley of Kaluganga. It will supply water to nurture 2000 acres of irrigation land and the excess water will be released to Moragahakanda reservoir. A 9- meter long canal has been constructed for this purpose.
The project will be instrumental in developing agricultural activities by increasing the water supply to old Amban Ganga, Yodha Ela via Minneriya, Giritale, Kawudulla and Kantale. In addition, this will also enable 40,000 families to cultivate in both Yala and Maha seasons.
Moragahakanda – Kalu Ganga Multi-Purpose Development Project, a brainchild of President Sirisena was completed as the final project of the Mahaweli Development Programme.
President also participated to hand over several line institutes including new hospital, Samurdhi Bank, Govi Jana Service Center and bus stand constructed at a cost of Rs. 1200 under Moragahakanda – Kalu Ganga Multi-Purpose Development Project in Ambana New Town.
Addressing media President said Moragahakanda – Kalu Ganga Multi-Purpose Development Project will become the most beneficial development activity to the people of this country.
President Sirisena further said that he does not agree with the pledges given by both Presidential candidates to provide chemical fertilizer free of charge. It has been confirmed by now that the chemical fertilizer is one of the main causes of the kidney disease, pointed out the President while adding that although the political leaders are responsible to strengthen the agro-economy and provide incentives to farmers they should not become their duty towards the nation to make it a healthier one.
The country must deviate from using chemical fertilizer to organic fertilizer, said the President.
The Governor of the Central Province Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon, State Minister Ajith Manapperuma, Member of Parliament Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Anura Dissanayake, Director General of Mahaweli Dr. D. M. S. Dissanayake, Director of the Moragahakanda Project D. B. Wijayaratne were among the gathering.
