Geologists team to visit Uma Oya area to assess reports on cracks: Minister

30 April 2024 06:38 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

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Colombo, April 30 (Daily Mirror)- Claiming that there have been no reported landslides or other issues since the Uma Oya Project was opened, State Minister of Power and Energy Indika Anuruddha said a team of geologists will embark on an inspection tour of the Uma Oya region tomorrow to assess and document any reported cracks and floods in the area.

He cautioned against misleading representations, noting that some individuals are attempting to mislead the public by showcasing small waterfalls resulting from rainfall.

The Minister said this during a media briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) today (30) under the theme “Collective Path to a Stable Country”.

"The country has suffered a loss of nearly USD 200 billion due to the nine-year delay in completing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project. Consequently, the loss over the past nine years is estimated at USD 587 million.

The initial project estimate stood at USD 529 million. However, over the past nine years, electricity generation linked to the Uma Oya project could not be integrated into the national grid, resulting in the project incurring a loss equivalent to the estimated amount.

Despite the addition of electricity generation from the Uma Oya project to the national grid, misleading media reports suggesting the project caused landslides persist," he added.

"Some individuals aim to obstruct the project's progress by highlighting minor post-rain waterfalls. Notably, no confirmed incidents related to the project have occurred. However, tomorrow (01), a team of geologists will assess reported cracks and floods in the Uma Oya area.

"The government assures technical solutions to any identified issues, drawing from global experience in prevention measures. In the past, the country has experienced the loss of various development projects due to sabotage by certain individuals," he said.

Comments - 11

Ambdon Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:01 PM

Minister what are your educational qualifications background and experience?

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Financier Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:03 PM

If there had been two states in one country, Sri Lanka would have bounced up well. It’s not late either.

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Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 01 May 2024 01:01 AM

Then those 2 states will ve fighting with each other for resources. It would be am all out for no runs scenario. When 2 states are created then there will be demand for further division too. At the end the whole country will be in the governing jobs.

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Jagath Leanage Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:00 PM

Believe officials who are conducting investigation are not politically motivated ?

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Shera Tuesday, 30 April 2024 11:35 PM

"The country has suffered a loss of nearly USD 200 billion due to the nine-year delay in completing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project. Consequently, the loss over the past nine years is estimated at USD 587 million." Who will be held accountable for this waste of tax payers money???

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Patriot Wednesday, 01 May 2024 01:25 AM

It is not clear.You mean cracks on the dam?

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Geotechnical Engineer Wednesday, 01 May 2024 04:06 AM

Minister please remember building a large dam is not for the fainthearted or ill informed persons, especially politicians. I have worked in this industry for the last 50 years in seven different developed countries. Guess what? It is always the politicians who push the engineers into a corner to do their pet project despite the poor engineers warning. Often it is a massive disaster that is waiting to happen. Go into the history of Vajont Dam in Italy, Clyde Dam in NZ or nearer home to Samanalawewa all these failures were due to political interference and poor engineers are made the scapegoats!

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Neil Wednesday, 01 May 2024 04:52 AM

Samanala wewa had a similar issue immediately after impounding. The issue with Uma oya should be investigated by experienced geologists immediately. This could even lead to a dam burst if unattended.

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Principal Dam Engineer Wednesday, 01 May 2024 12:42 PM

Neil, Please note to study the site geology for a proposed dam a well experienced Engineering Geologist on Dam site investigation require to be heading the team. Please note, mere PhD's with no solid experience will have little to do if one were to head a team of engineers to build such a dam. Experienced Hydrologist, hydraulic engineers and geotechnical engineers in the dam building industry will have to work as a team and do a hypothetical Dam Break study to evaluate the risks associated with the project and come up with mitigating options. For GODSAKE keep the political buffoons off the project if you are looking for success.

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Nimal Wednesday, 01 May 2024 10:00 AM

If he is not competent enough to comment on these highly scientific matters, he should let a highly qualified person to speak rather than display his ignorance.

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Gunadasa Wednesday, 01 May 2024 11:22 AM

Those who have protested against new power generation projects should be held responsible for the massive loss

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