Colombo: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated a USD 514 million (Rs 42,82,59,66,000) hydropower project in southeastern Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The project, partially funded by Tehran, faced significant delays due to international sanctions on Iran, an oil-rich nation.
This marks the first visit by an Iranian president to Sri Lanka since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008. Upon his arrival at Mattala International Airport in the southern province, President Raisi was welcomed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Strict security measures were implemented, with roads closed to regular traffic as President Raisi proceeded to the project’s inauguration site, where he was received by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
During the inauguration ceremony, President Raisi expressed Iran’s pleasure in assisting the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) and emphasized the project’s role in strengthening bilateral ties between Iran and Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the contributions of Iranian engineers to the project’s success.
In his address, President Wickremesinghe expressed optimism about the joint progress between Sri Lanka and Iran as members of the Global South. He conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude to Iran for the technical support provided for UMODP, which is the second-largest irrigation project in the country after the Mahaweli River diversion project in the 1980s.
According to a press release from the Sri Lankan government, the UMODP, with a total cost of USD 514 million, was initiated with an initial funding of USD 50 million from Iran. In April 2008, the Sri Lankan government and Iran’s Farab Energy and Water Projects (Farab Company) agreed to implement the project. The Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) funded USD 50 million until 2013. However, due to international sanctions imposed on Iran later that year, Tehran was unable to continue financing the project. Consequently, Sri Lanka decided to proceed with the project using government funds while maintaining the contract with the Farab Company.
The project is expected to add 290 GWh to the national grid, supply water to 4,500 hectares of new agricultural land and 1,500 hectares of existing farmland, and meet the drinking water needs of thousands of families in the Badulla, Monaragala, and Hambantota districts.
