Mahaweli Development programme

The Mahaweli Development programme (Sinhala:මහවැලි සංවර්ධන වැඩසටහන) is known as the largest multipurpose national development programme in the history of Sri Lanka and is also considered as the keystone of the government's development programme since 1977.

Purposes of the Programme

The main purposes of carrying out the programme were generation of hydroelectric power, controlling flood, making irrigation facilities for dry zone cultivation, settlement of landless and unemployed families by constructing and developing physical and social infrastructure required for human habitation by using the waters of the Mahaweli River. Increase local agricultural production and create employment opportunities for the people were among the other expected purposes.

The Master Plan

The Master Plan of Mahaweli Development Programme was prepared with the assistance of UNDP and FAO and recommended for step wise implementation over a period of 30 years.^[1] The programme, included irrigation development of about 365,000 ha and hydro power development of 470 MW in capacity. For the purpose of identification, the whole development area was divided into projects, referred to Systems A to M.

The first phase of the programme consisted of diversion headworks at Polgolla and Bowatenna, 40 MW hydro power plant at Ukuwela and an improved water supply to about 52,700 ha of existing irrigated land. The phase I was completed in 1978.

Accelerated Mahaweli Programme

The step wise implemented Mahaweli Development Programme was would have lasted about 30 years from 1975. The newly appointed J. R. Jayewardene government in 1977 decided to speed up the programme and complete it within its term of office of 6 years.^[2] According to that the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme (AMP) was implemented with a revision of the Master Plan in 1977. Which was consist of 12 projects and mainly confined to four head works in initial works of the programme, including the construction of Kotmale, Victoria, Maduru Oya, Randenigala dams and the downstream development of about 60,000 ha in Systems B and C and the Minipe anicut, the Right Bank Trans basin Canal and the Ulhitiya and Ratkinda reservoirs. To implement the project plan in the balance areas proposed by the Master plan and also Gazetted areas, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka was established in 1979 by an Act of Parliament with a mandate.^[3][4]

As the end of 1995, all the head works of the AMP had been completed and were functioning. Feasibility studies were scheduled to be completed in respect of the proposed Moragahakanda Project.

Completed Projects

Name	Image	Location	Year commenced	Year completed	Type of Dam	Storage capacity (million cu.m)	Power capacity (MW)	Notes
Bowatenne[5]		07°40′00″N 80°40′00″E / 7.66667°N 80.66667°E	?	1981	Concrete Gravity		40
Kotmale[6]		07°03′39″N 80°35′50″E / 7.06083°N 80.59722°E	1979	1985	Gravity	174	200	The reservoir was constructed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme
Maduru Oya		07°38′53″N 81°12′50″E / 7.64806°N 81.21389°E	?	1983	Gravity	596	25	The reservoir was constructed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme
Polgolla Barrage[7]		07°23′56″N 80°39′08″E / 7.39889°N 80.65222°E	1970	1977	Barrage		40	The reservoir was constructed under the first project of Polgolla Diversion Complex
Randenigala[8]		07°12′00″N 80°55′30″E / 7.20000°N 80.92500°E	1982	1986	Gravity	860	135	The reservoir was constructed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme
Rantambe[9]		07°12′00″N 80°57′00″E / 7.20000°N 80.95000°E	1987	1990	Gravity	21	52	The reservoir was constructed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme
Victoria[10]		07°14′29″N 80°47′05″E / 7.24139°N 80.78472°E	1978	1985	Arch	730	210	The reservoir was constructed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme

See also

• Gal Oya Valley Development Programme
• Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment

References

1. "Master Plan". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
2. "Sri Lanka's biggest river basin development project". The Sunday Times. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
3. "Mahaweli Authority...". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
4. "Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka". Ministry of Irrigation & Water Resources Management. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
5. "Bowatenne". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
6. "Kotmale". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
7. "Polgolla". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
8. "Randenigala". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
9. "Rantembe". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
10. "Victoria". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2016.