Sri Lanka, April 28 -- On January 26, 2005, the present Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation at the time, submitted a Cabinet Paper for consideration (This ministry was fully under the control of the JVP with Bimal Ratnayake as its Deputy Minister). The document, referenced as No. 05/0036/039/002 and dated January 4, 2005, contained the following statement:

"The only viable solution is to utilise water from the Uma Oya to foster development in the arid southeastern region of Sri Lanka (particularly in the districts of Hambantota and Monaragela,)"

"The economic development approach for Hambantota and Moneragala districts has rece...