Government sources state, eight large tanks and 353 smaller tanks are to be developed under the project. It is expected to facilitate uninterrupted irrigation facilities to 12,500 farms and direct benefits to 13,500 farmer families, in addition to providing indirect benefits to another 80,000 farmer families, these sounces said.

The government has already completed 50% of the work under Stage I of the project, at a cost of Rs.16 billion. The project is managed by the Mahaweli Water Security & Investment Project.