Between 1977 and 1983 under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project and colonization schemes, approximately 51468 hectares were turned into a gigantic hydroelectric dam irrigation project.
Antara 1977 dan 1983 di bawah Proyek Pengembangan Proyek Pengembangan Mahaweli dan skema kolonisasi, sekitar 51468 hektar diubah menjadi proyek irigasi bendungan hidroelektrik raksasa.