Speaking in Parliament, earlier this month, President Maithripala Sirisena said that the project will be launched as a part of the development of the new government drive.

Under this programme, people in the Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts would get an opportunity to utilize their lands in a better way, the President had added.

Although India had agreed to provide funding assistance, the project faced a standstill due to several issues.

The project is estimated to cost a staggering Rs. 57,556 million and aims to provide irrigation for an additional 68,000 hectares of paddy fields as well as to the existing 203,000 hectares of paddy fields and other agricultural land in the area.

The project is also to address the domestic and drinking water demand in the area. In addition, it will add 200 Mega Watts to the National Grid, reports add.