The late J.R. Jayewardene had a big vision for the country through the Mahaweli Programme, but he was able to achieve only a part of that vision. As originally planned, the present phase of Mahaweli should be the social and economic development of the families settled in Mahaweli areas, by promoting food production in a sustainable way, to gain the return on investment on capital cost incurred on infrastructure constructed in delivering water to fertile lands in the dry zone. Unfortunately, still it is being perceived as another construction or rehabilitation project with no dynamism for economic gains or a want or desire to increase food production.
The main drawback is that there is no positive action by the government to assist the farmers to achieve the true potential of their fields. The potential available with Mahaweli lands could easily help to bring the country to self-sufficiency in healthy foods, provided it is managed with the right vision. The rejuvenated Mahaweli project should be perceived as a great food production area with multiple potential. The functions of Mahaweli staff in the present context must be clearly articulated to them and they have to be given all the support that they need to make a success.