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.
Although work on the Mahakithula and Maha Kirula reservoirs is temporarily on hold due to financial constraints, canal construct up to these reservoir is continuing. The newly completed section includes two short tunnels at Nilagama and Ranwediyawa, concrete lined canal with roads in both sides and site restoration almost finished.
The next priority is excavating a 600-meter long tunnel to connect the canal to Irudeniyaya Oya which connects to Hakwatunaoya Reservoir. Once this is completed, water will be diverted from the Wemedilla Reservoir to Hakwatunaoya reservoir, where it will flow naturally until the Mahakithula & Mahakirula reservoirs and remaining canal sections are built. This ongoing project is expected to enhance water management and support agricultural development in the region in near future.
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