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Irrigation Minister visits Kantale tank

by Trincomalee correspondent

Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Gamini Jayawickrema Perera visited Kantale to observe the damage caused to the tank bed of the Kantale tank by illicit gemming.

After inspecting the area he directed relevant officials to close up the gem pits with earth with the assistance of the gem corporation. Illicit gemming has now been stopped.

Minister Jayawickrema Perera also inspected the gravel road at the toe of the Kantale tank which is to be improved for the use of heavy vehicles specially heavy vehicles transporting wheat flour and cement. At present these vehicles are using the Kantale tank bund road. He directed relevant officials to prepare plans and estimates for the improvement of this road.

The Minister met the farmers cultivating paddy under Kantale tank and the farmers complained that the Mahaveli water diversion to the Kantale tank is insufficient. It was disclosed at this discussion that the Mahaveli water panel at its meeting held at Gannoruwa has decided to allocate 32,000 acrefeet of water to Kantale tank while it has been proposed to release 80,000 acrefeet of water to Kaudulla tank Kantale farmers agitated for more water from the Mahaveli.

Irrigation officials pointed out that at present Kantale tank has only 7,000 acrefeet of water and the tank should have 40,000 acrefeet of water to enable water to be released to the Venderesanpura tank. Until such time Maha cultivation could not commence.

Minister undertook to look into the grievances of the farmers.

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