Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced that the 120 MW hydropower plant of the Uma Oya project is scheduled to become operational this month, marking it as one of Sri Lanka’s largest hydropower plants after Victoria, Kotmale, and Upper-Kotmale.
Rajapaksa highlighted the significance of the Uma Oya project in providing Sri Lanka with a much-needed source of low-cost electricity and praised its contribution to national development.
He noted the project’s long history, dating back to discussions over half a century, and emphasized the efforts of his government in initiating and implementing major infrastructure projects during his tenure from 2006 to 2014.
Despite political opposition and allegations, Rajapaksa underscored the project’s importance and the positive contributions made by various parties, including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
Rajapaksa called for a shift in the country’s political culture to acknowledge and appreciate the benefits of major infrastructure projects and the efforts of governments in realizing them.
