The President recalled that he laid the foundation for the Moragahakanda Irrigation project back in 2007, while functioning as the Minister of Mahaweli Development. However, within 48 hours of this event, he was given another portfolio through a cabinet reshuffle. Although he was given the Mahaweli Ministry again funds for the project were not given for a period of five and half years.
The President emphasized that once the project is completed it will provide irrigation facilities to 81,422 hectares in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, provide potable and industrial water supply to Anuradhapura and Trincomalee towns and generate electricity by hydropowe. Also, while adding 25 megawatts to the national grid, the project will also help to control the floods which occur in Polonnaruwa District's low lying areas during the rainy season.
He also held discussion with the project Engineers, officials and all other resource personnel at the site.
A sum of 382 million US dollars will be spent for the Moragahakanda Project.