A hartal is in progress in Bandarawela town against the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project that resident’s claim is causing damage to their homes.

Businesses closed and residents took to the streets to protest damage to a reported 7, 37 homes.

The residents further allege that 84 million liters of water leak every day as a result of the Uma Oya project.

The Uma Oya Multipurpose Project is implemented by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water and will be managed in coordination with the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Upon completion, the Uma Oya Multipurpose Project is expected to add 120 MW to the generation system with 230 GWh of annual energy generation.