President Maithripala Sirisena said the implementation of the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project is not only a fulfillment of a long awaited aspiration of the farmers but also a personal dream come true for him.

He made these remarks during the national ceremony to enshrine treasures to build the main dam of the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project. The ceremony in this regard was held yesterday (25) under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe in Moragahakanda.

The project, which was commenced in 2007 was to be completed in 2012 but due to the lack of interest in the highest positions of the then government it has not taken off until now, the President said.

The President further said that he is extremely glad now as the project could be commenced, and when it is completed in 2018 he would be tremendously happy and contended person.

During the ceremony, President Sirisena described that how he launched the first feasibility report when he was Deputy Minister of Irrigation and later laid the foundation stone as the Minister of Mahaweli for this project and how he was removed from the ministerial portfolio few days after he laid the foundation stone for the project. The President further said that he had to argue and take the ministerial portfolio back because he was totally committed to this project, but he had come under so many difficulties due to lack of desire to provide funds for the project.

In 2015 when deciding regarding the ministerial portfolios, he expressed his desire to hold the Mahaweli portfolio mainly because he wanted to complete the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga Irrigation Development Project during his tenure, he added.

President Maithripala Sirisena further explained that the lifeline of the Sri Lankan economy is agriculture and through the implementation of this project, with its resouviours with a capacity of six times of Parakrama Samudraya would irrigate thousands of acres of paddy fields and will boost up the economy of farmer community.

The Maha Sangha, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Praliament Reforms and Mass Media Ministers Gayantha Karunathilaka and MPs, diplomats and many others participated in this event.