Uma Oya project partially suspended

The State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development, Mahinda Amaraweera announced that the Government had decided to suspend the progression of a section of the Uma Oya Multi-purpose Development Project, effective immediately.

The State Minister made the announcement during a media briefing which was held to explain the current status of the Uma Oya project and the Government’s stance regarding the project, today (07).

He explained that a cabinet sub-committee had been elected to look into the project, and that President Maithripala Sirisena had made the aforementioned decision based on information conveyed to him by said sub-committee.

The State Minister added that the remaining section of the Uma Oya Multi-purpose Development Project was also nearing a risk-prone region, and that its progress would also be suspended as soon as it reaches said risk-prone region.

Furthermore, he stated that a new machine would be imported to the country by the end of this month, which would enable the tunnel to be concealed as the tunnelling progresses.

A group of state officials from Norway are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on July 31, State Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, and added that the project would most likely be resumed mid-August, following the assessment of the state officials.