The long-awaited Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) was finally inaugurated yesterday by Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Iran provided the facilities including manpower and funding for the project which is second only to the gigantic Mahaweli Development project which has brought immense benefits to the country’s irrigation and agricultural sector, coupled with the enhancement of power generation.
The Iranian President responded to a special invitation extended by President Wickremesinghe, marking the first visit of an Iranian President since former President Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008.
Initially, there were doubts cast on the Iranian leader’s visit, mainly by the private media, citing Israel’s conflict with Gaza and Palestine and the recent conflict between Iran and Israel. All such doubts, however, were laid to rest with the arrival of the Iranian leader on schedule on a special Presidential flight which touched down at the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday morning.
There were also initial protests against the Uma Oya project led mainly by the National People’s Power (NPP), which, true to form preyed on the unfounded fears of the people of Uva Wellassa. But all such obstacles were finally overcome with the project now set to provide water to 4,500 hectares of new land and 1,500 hectares of existing agricultural land in Moneragala. Moreover, Badulla, Moneragala and Hambantota will benefit from 39 million cubic meters of water for drinking purposes while adding 290 GWh of electrical energy annually to the National Grid.
The initial agreement for the commencement of the project was signed between Iran and Sri Lanka on November 27, 2007. At the outset, the Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) funded US$ 50 million. However, due to international sanctions against Iran, they were unable to continue funding the project. Therefore the Government of Sri Lanka decided to proceed with the project using Government funds while continuing with the same Iranian contractor, Farab Energy and Water Projects.
Following completion, the project components will be transferred to operating authorities, namely the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL).
In addition to multiple reservoirs that would channel water to the lands, additional water is channeled to the new Kuda Oya Reservoir currently under construction on the right bank. These reservoirs will facilitate irrigation in areas such as Wellawaya, Thanamalwila and Buttala in the Moneragala District.
The Uma Oya Downstream Development Project, facilitated by the Irrigation Department is designed to ease the longstanding water scarcity in the Kirindi Oya Basin. Officials have been directed to commence integrated agricultural development initiatives, leveraging modern technology to optimise water use. The UOMDP has also effectively addressed the challenge of supplying water for both domestic and industrial purposes in Bandarawela.
The Uma Oya Project will be a great boon to the agricultural sector, particularly the farming community which had to undergo various vicissitudes in recent times such as the lack of fertilizer and marketing avenues. The authorities should take every available step to ensure that the Uma Oya Project is made use of to optimum levels to bring rich dividends to farmers.
Sadly, the next generation after the present lot of the farmers is presently not taking to agriculture as a profession due to these hardships and diminished incomes making it unprofitable to be a farmer. This will result in the farmer soon becoming a vanishing breed in this country. If this happens, Projects like Uma Oya will fail to bring in anticipated dividends. However, the modernisation of agriculture, as envisaged by President Wickremesinghe, could potentially retain young talent in farming.
The two regimes that oversaw the construction of the Uma Oya Project have to be commended for going ahead with the project, undaunted by protests and other obstacles placed in its path. In earlier times, Governments in power were reluctant to proceed with development projects due to protests and objections, such as the protest against the construction of the coal power plant in Thalawila, which proved to be a setback in the development of alternative power generation projects.
This should teach the authorities not to tolerate any attempts at sabotage in launching development projects to benefit the people. Most of these sabotage attempts are politically motivated.
The special highlight of President Raisi’s visit will be the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Iran and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has also granted approval for additional flights between the two nations in a bid to attract more tourist arrivals from Iran.
The historic ties between Sri Lanka and Iran date back centuries, predating the establishment of diplomatic relations. Iran established its mission in Colombo in 1975 which Sri Lanka reciprocated by setting up its mission in Tehran in January 1990. Iran also happens to be a leading buyer of Ceylon Tea. Sri Lanka and Iran have offered mutual support on matters of shared concern, collaborating closely with the United Nations and affiliated agencies. High-level visits between the two nations have been a regular occurrence, further solidifying bilateral relations. Thus Uma Oya marks another significant chapter in Iran-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
