The Yan Oya Reservoir Project is the largest irrigation initiative in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, and it represents a significant step forward in enhancing water resource management in the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts. This transformative project is designed to provide reliable irrigation and drinking water facilities, ensuring that both agricultural activities and the water needs of local communities are met throughout the year.

Project Overview

• Location: The reservoir is located at Pangurugaswewa in the Trincomalee District, where a dam is constructed across the Yan Oya, a river that flows into the sea from Pulmoddai in the Eastern Province.
• Reservoir Capacity: The Yan Oya Reservoir will have a capacity of nearly 140,000 acre-feet (approximately 169 million cubic meters).
• Estimated Cost: LKR 34 billion
• Funding Sources: Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), with contracting work managed by CAMCE for the Headworks and Left Bank Canal.
• Infrastructure Details:
  • Main Dam: A 2.35 km long earthen dam.
  • Saddle Dams: A 3.59 km long system of saddle dams.
  • Canal System: A 34 km long canal network on both the Left Bank (LB) and Right Bank (RB) designed to distribute water efficiently.

Key Project Benefits

1. Agricultural Enhancement:
   • The reservoir will irrigate nearly 5,700 hectares of land across the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts. This includes:
     • Padaviya Scheme: Providing water to 2,200 hectares of existing lands, which currently suffer from severe water deficits, particularly during the Yala season.
     • Wahalkada Scheme: Supporting 140 hectares of existing agricultural land.
     • New Irrigated Land: Developing 100 hectares of new land along the Left Bank Canal.
     • Yan Oya Anicut: Providing water to 750 hectares of existing lands under the Yan Oya anicut.
     • Meeoya Basin: Benefitting 1,735 hectares of minor schemes in the Meeoya basin in Trincomalee District.
2. Water Supply:
   • The project will deliver 24 million cubic meters (MCM) of drinking water annually, ensuring reliable water access to local communities and round-the-clock water supply to the Trincomalee town.
3. Infrastructure Development:
   • The construction of the main dam, saddle dams, and extensive canal systems will not only improve irrigation but also enhance the region’s overall infrastructure, facilitating better water management and distribution.
4. Socio-Economic Impact:
   • The project is expected to significantly boost local agriculture by increasing cropping intensity and providing a stable water supply, thus supporting the livelihoods of around 8,000 farm families.

MCB’s Role in the Project

The Mahaweli Consultancy Bureau (MCB) played a crucial role in the Yan Oya Reservoir Project by conducting the Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA). The SEIA was essential to ensure that the project adhered to environmental regulations and minimized negative impacts on local ecosystems and communities. MCB’s contributions included:

• Environmental Impact Mitigation: MCB identified potential environmental risks and proposed strategies to mitigate them, ensuring that the project was environmentally sustainable.
• Social Impact Assessment: MCB evaluated how the project would affect local communities, particularly in terms of displacement, land use changes, and the overall social structure. The goal was to enhance the project’s benefits while minimizing any adverse effects on the population.
• Compliance and Monitoring: MCB’s SEIA included recommendations for ongoing monitoring of the project’s environmental and social impacts, ensuring that it remained compliant with environmental standards throughout its implementation

Conclusion

The Yan Oya Reservoir Project is a landmark initiative that will transform water resource management in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. By improving irrigation, providing reliable drinking water, and enhancing local infrastructure, the project will support both agricultural productivity and the well-being of local communities.