News & Views

On June 27, 2025, the Anuradhapura Ceybank Auditorium hosted the crucial feasibility validation workshop for the upcoming Commercial Agriculture Development (CAD) program under the MWSIP Phase II. This ambitious project aims to develop 5,000 hectares of land across Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts, focusing on cultivating high-value commercial crops for export markets.

The Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program is not only focused on developing irrigation infrastructure but also prioritizes environmental and wildlife conservation. A significant portion of the project’s investment has been allocated to protecting wildlife habitats, particularly in the North Central and North Western provinces, where irrigation development overlaps with conservation zones. To ensure the sustainability…

The Technical Assistance (TA) Inception Mission for the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP) – Stage 2 officially commenced under the leadership of the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation. The session brought together key officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), government representatives, and MWSIP Staff to drive…

The construction of a 17 km section of the North Western Province Canal (NWPC), from Nabadagahawatta to the Mahakithula tunnel inlet, is nearing completion. While the entire canal of 91.5 km is still under development, this marks a crucial step in advancing the Mahaweli water distribution system, fulfilling three decades-old goal.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting a loan review mission for the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP) Tranches 1, 2, and 3 from December 9 to 18, 2024.

An awareness workshop was held on November 29, 2024, at the Provincial Secretariat Office in Anuradhapura for the newly appointed Governor, Members of Parliament (MPs), and key officials of the North Central Provincial Council.

On November 11, 2024, a trial water release was conducted along the 8.8 km long Kaluganga-Moragahakanda transfer canal, which transports water from the Kaluganga Reservoir to the Moragahakanda Reservoir.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP) by introducing a Commercial Agriculture Development (CAD) component, which will directly benefit farmers through improved irrigation from the North Central Province Canal Project (NCPCP). ADB’s Technical Assistance will fund a feasibility study to develop this CAD initiative further.