Mahaweli Upgrading Project is in operation within Zones 3 to 6 of System C. covering 17,000 ha. and benefiting 18,000 families. Objectives of the project are:

To increase productivity of the existing irrigation system,
To strengthen the capability of farmer organizations to enable them to manage
and maintain the irrigation system and
To rectify defects of existing irrigation system. Project scope has four
components,
Strengthening of farmer organizations
Agricultural management training
Rectification of the irrigation system and
Consultancy services.
Strengthening of Farmer Organizations component has three sub components which includes restoration of D & F canals and storage facilities and credit facilities Under the restoration of D & F canals 433 Km of canals (29% of the target) has been restored while work is in progress another 484 Km. Six storage buildings have been completed while 6 other buildings are in progress.

Agricultural Management Training component includes a practical training center to be established in the Ratkinda Seed Farm. Accordingly, Repair works of the Agricultural Training Center has been completed 95% in December 2003.

Rectification of Irrigation System included (a) repairs to the trans-basin canals (b) earth work and weed removal of canal system, concrete lining and gate replacement and (c) supply of O & M equipment. Under Main & Branch canal rectification work 30 Kms of Main Canal and 82% of its structures have been completed. Concrete lining of 9.5 km has also completed.

Total project cost is Rs.2,103 Mn. (¥ 4,396 m.) JBIC Financial assistance is Rs.1,788 Mn. (¥ 3,737 m.). GOSL component is Rs. 315 Mn. Implementation period is 6 years commencing from 1998 and to complete in 2004. Up to end of December 2003, total expenditure was Rs.1,209 Mn. Overall progress of the project was 55%.

Budget allocation for 2004 is, Rs. 551.85 Mn. and targeted to be complete the project. It Includes rectification of 564 Kms. of D & F canals, balance rectification work in Main & Branch canals, drainage improvement of 10 Km. in Hungamale Ela and farmer training activities.