Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian has departed for Sri Lanka on Mon. for a four-day visit to attend the 11th meeting of Iran-Sri Lanka Joint Commission for Economic cooperation.

Hamid Chitchian heading a panel of experts comprising private sector investors and government executives has left for Sri Lanka on Monday to participate in the 11th meeting of the two countries’ Joint Commission for Economic cooperation with a focus on water and electricity.

The energy minister will arrive in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, Monday night and pay a visit next day to the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project (UOMDP) which consists of the construction of two dams across two main tributaries of Uma Oya at Welimada and Dyraba and in a 23km long trans-basin diversion tunnels with an underground power station at Randeniya. The objectives of the project are said to be the generation of hydropower, irrigation, provision of drinking water and of water for industrial activities. 

On Wednesday, Chitchian will first attend the 11th meeting of Iran-Sri Lanka Joint Commission for Economic cooperation, and then hold talks with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake, and the Minister of Power and Renewable energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

On Thursday, Chitchian will attend the ceremony of signing the MoUs, and then meet with Rauff Hakeem, Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage.

The Iranian delegation will leave Sri Lanka Thursday afternoon.

(MNA)