The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I answer the Adjournment Question:

¶ 02 1) Feasibility studies were carried out in 1956 and updated in 2006 and 2017 by the Irrigation Department for different reservoir capacities. The proposed full-capacity Heda Oya Reservoir would inundate 6,000 acres; a downsized option would inundate 4,000 acres. A 2018 survey found over 250 houses within the inundation area. Submergence of 6,000 acres of cultivable land in Monaragala and displacement of over 250 permanent houses created social and political issues, which is the main reason for delay.

¶ 03 2) No funds will be allocated in Budget 2026.

¶ 04 3) There are no immediate plans to implement the Heda Oya Reservoir Project.

¶ 05 4) Detailed socioeconomic and environmental impact assessments will be carried out from planning to implementation.

¶ 06 5) At feasibility stage, the following benefits were identified and quantified: - Reliable irrigation for 6,500 acres in Maha and 13,000 acres in Yala; - 13 MCM (million cubic metres) per year of raw water for domestic supply; - Rural employment during construction; - Infrastructure improvements (transport, education, health); - Climate change resilience; - Curtailing rural poverty.

¶ 07 6) There are no integration plans at present.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member, initial ideas date to 1956; updates were done in 2006 and 2017. In 2018, surveys showed 6,000 acres (full) or 4,000 acres (downsized) would be inundated, with around 250 permanent households affected. Opposition from affected communities halted discussions begun around 2016.

¶ 09 Our Government has not rejected or shelved the project. However, there are many irrigation projects across the country that were started with expenditure and then abandoned midstream. For example, the Pahala Malwathu Oya Reservoir in Mannar—intended to irrigate 30,000 acres—had about 60% of the bund constructed and was then halted. We must resume such projects. Similarly, the Mundeni Aru Reservoir in Batticaloa offers comparatively higher benefits; lands have been acquired and certain works commenced; a project office exists; funds were allocated under the Irrigation Department in recent budgets.

¶ 10 Post-economic crisis and longstanding inefficiencies have left multiple large-scale irrigation projects half-done, with billions sunk and intended beneficiaries deprived. Our priority is to complete these stalled projects. This year we allocated Rs. 2,350 million to address issues in Pahala Yan Oya—though built and canals made, land alienation, canal development, and compensation remain incomplete. In Monaragala’s Lower Uma Oya development, works were also left midway—even canals run 20 metres above ground in parts; we have allocated about Rs. 2,500 million to finish it. For Pahala Malwathu Oya, Rs. 3,000 million was allocated to restart.

¶ 11 Going forward we must commence Mundeni Aru and other prepared projects—lands already acquired, some works begun. Likewise, the Kivul Oya project for Vavuniya and Mullaitivu has progressed to land acquisition and initial works. These take priority. We have not abandoned Heda Oya or Kumbukkan Oya—both are feasible and beneficial. But at a time of economic recovery with many stalled projects, priorities lie there first. Hence, no allocation for Heda Oya in 2026. This does not mean abandonment; with time, we will revisit, including necessary environmental studies and approvals.

¶ 12 Regarding the claim that funds were allocated in 2020: according to the Irrigation Department, no funds were allocated that year, though approvals like NPD concurrence and preliminary steps were pursued.

¶ 13 Thank you.