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British firm told to get services of Lankan engineers

by Rashomi Silva

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera has requested a reputed dam safety consultant firm from the United Kingdom to get the service of Sri Lankan engineers and engineering undergraduates on dam safety programmes conducted here.

The Minister made this request from JACOBS and GIBB (J&G) last Thursday at a meeting with its representatives at the ministry.

Speaking to the Daily News, the Minister said the World Bank has agreed to provide financial assistance to work out a comprehensive plan on 'Dam Safety Reservoir Conservation in Sri Lanka' under the Mahaweli Restructuring and Rehabilitation Project. Perera said J&G have selected 30 dams controlled by the Mahaweli Authority, Irrigation Department and Ceylon Electricity Board.

J&G has wide experience in dam safety, the minister said. The mega 'Aral sea project' in Central Asia consists many sub projects such as Lake Sarez Risk Project, Irrigation Rehabilitation Project and Latvia Dam Safety Legislation Project undertaken by J&G, he added.

"My first priority is the safety of the people. I am concerned about them. Therefore, my ministry officials and officials manning the tanks and reservoirs of the Department of Irrigation and Mahaweli are watchful day and night about the safety of these reservoirs. If there is a danger, it is our duty to alert people of the areas early", he said.

John Sawyer, Technical Director, James G Penman, Deputy Team Leader, and David A. Scivier, Executive Engineers of J&G, officials of Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management, Irrigation Department, and MRRP were also present.

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