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Gal Amuna scheme to boost agricultural economy

by Ariyaratne Ganegoda

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday that the Gal Amuna irrigation scheme will facilitate overall economic development in the Kataragama region.

The scheme provides irrigation for paddy cultivation during Yala and Maha seasons and a regular pipe-borne water supply to the Kataragama city and its environs.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Gal Amuna scheme in Kataragama.

The Maha Sangha led by Kiri Vehera Viharadhipati Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayake Thera chanted seth pirith.

The Prime Minister said the inauguration of work on the Gal Amuna scheme is a fulfilment of a pledge given by him during the last general election campaign, when he visited Kiri Vehera for religious observances.

During the last general election campaign Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayake Thera requested him to build an irrigation scheme at Gal Amuna for the benefit of farmers if his party was elected to power.

Responding to the prelates request he promised to start work on the project the moment he got an opportunity to do so. Accordingly after the UNF government assumed power he instructed Irrigation and Water Management Minister Gamini Jayawickreme Perera to initiate the project with available funds.

He has directed the Finance Ministry to ensure that funds are allocated to this vital project, as a matter of priority.

The Prime Minister said Moneragala District MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Ananda Kumarasiri and National list MP Jayasundera Wijekoon too had made representations calling for the early implementation of this project.

The project plan was formulated after proper consultations with MPs, Southern Region Development Minister Ananda Kularatne, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake and the farmers themselves.

The Prime Minister said once the project was completed they hoped to make the first offering of water from it to the Kirivehera and the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya in keeping with the wishes of the Ven. Dr. Soratha.

He wished the project would be completed on schedule as planned.

He also thanked everyone who had taken a keen interest on this project.

Kiri Vehera Viharadhipati Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Ruhunu Magam Pattuwa said the launching of its maiden irrigation project from Kataragama could be considered as a major achievement of the UNF Government.

"Many politicians had earlier promised to start this scheme but no one had been able to keep that promise." "Everyone desired to see Kataragama achieving prosperity through agriculture by utilising the waters of the Menik Ganga. The people of Kataragama are indebted to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for starting this project after a proper study," the Thera said.

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Gamini Jayawickreme Perera said the government is taking a keen interest in the development of the South. There will be an increased demand for water in the area once the Hambantota International Harbour and other giant factories like the Oil Refinery come on stream. The Government has launched irrigation and water schemes mindful of this factor.

He said once these schemes were completed there won't be any scarcity of water in the Hambantota and Moneragala Districts in future. Minister Perera said the Gal Amuna scheme once completed would cater to the development of 22 villages in the area. Nearly 16370 people of 4689 families will stand to gain by it. Minister Perera said the Prime Minister as a matter of policy did not attend foundation laying ceremonies. But he had made Gal Amuna scheme an exception because it was very close to his heart.

Southern Region Development Minister Ananda Kularatne, Moneragala District MPs Ranjith Maddumabandara and Ananda Kumarasiri, National list MP Jayasundera Wijekoon, Former Minister R. M. Dharmadasa Banda, Former MP Pradeep Hapangama and Moneragala District Secretary H. A. Ariyadasa were also present.

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