The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Question No. 1544/2025: Proposed Vee-Oya Project: Details.

¶ 02 On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation:

¶ 03 (a) (i) The project proposes a reservoir across Vee Oya, a major tributary of the Kelani River, about 9.5 km from Yatiyantota town, with a storage capacity of 49.5 million cubic metres.

¶ 04 (ii) Objectives: - Meet rising potable water needs; - Flood mitigation in lower Kelani by retaining a portion of wet-season flows (around 24 MCM reserved before the rainy season); - Regulate base flows and releases during dry periods to support growing urban and industrial water demand in and around Colombo (around 24 MCM allocated); - Generate hydropower when feasible.

¶ 05 (iii) Detailed design is underway under Component 2 of the CResMPA project through a consultancy contract expected to be completed this year. Implementation is envisaged under Phase II with World Bank assistance in 2027.

¶ 06 (b) (i) Preliminary feasibility recommends the project as essential for flood moderation of the Kelani and for future water supply; thus, steps are proceeding through detailed design; formal public communication aligns with Cabinet processes.

¶ 07 (ii) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are being prepared by appointed consultants; reports will be available.

¶ 08 (iii) Preliminary field studies indicate: - 203 housing losses (176 within the inundation area; 27 in landslide-risk areas), - 13 business losses (6 retail shops, 1 garage, 2 tea boutiques, 1 temporary trading stall, 1 bookshop, and 1 concrete works yard).

¶ 09 (iv) The National Building Research Organisation has completed landslide-risk studies; project design will incorporate measures to minimise any increased risk due to the dam between two mountains in the Kegalle District.

¶ 10 (v) Subject to Cabinet decision and completion of detailed designs and assessments, implementation is expected in 2027 with World Bank support.

¶ 11 (c) Not applicable.