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| Friday, 5 November 2004 |
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| Restoration of Kandy Lake begins: Kandy can be easily developed for tourism - Minister by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent "Ours is a blessed land in which everything grows everywhere. The Kandy City could be easily developed for tourism and it will not take much effort with the natural beauty it has been gifted with and the beautiful mountains skirting it," Minister of Finance Dr. Sarath Amunugama said. He was speaking at the commencement of the restoration of the work on the historic Kandy Lake held at Wewsiripura on Saturday. Dr. Amunugama said that the Government was able to spend Rs. 5,000 million on the Greater Kandy Water Scheme at Gohagoda which will augment the existing water services to many areas and provide pipe-borne water to several villages which had been starved of pure drinking water. Another Water Scheme will be started at a cost of Rs. 1,000 million to provide a better water service in Yatinuwara and Hewaheta, he said. 'A large sum of money has been allocated to restore the Kandy Lake to its pristine glory and all clogged drains will be cleaned. Action will also be taken to prevent polluted water from hotels and residences from flowing into the lake which will have the appearance of the Kirimuhuda once it was. There was also a time that the waters of this lake was made use of for domestic purposes and also to irrigate paddy fields in the Deiyannewela areas. But, now this lake is an eyesore with polluted waters flowing into it and the damaged decorative walls Walakulu bemma. It is also over-grown with shrubs at one end,' he said. Minister Amunugama said that action will be taken to re-locate the Bogambara Prisons to a place outside Kandy city and this will save six acres of prime land which could be put to better commercial use. He said that people at all levels should increase their work output for the progress of the country. If the country does well, the economy will improve and if the economy is strong, the people will enjoy better benefits and facilities. In the future there will be a large influx of tourists and this will bring in foreign exchange. The roads and the hotels will have to be developed to cater to the tourist industry. Kandy is one town which could be easily developed. The Minister said that a scurrilous attack is being made on the Government both over television and the print media and urged the people not to be misled by false propaganda. 'Minor issues are blown out of proportion to suit the gallery. This is evident from those present on the stage as all the partners from the People's Alliance are present. If there were serious differences, this may not be possible,' he said. Minister of Irrigation Anura Kumara Dissanayake said action will be taken to prevent the pollution of the lake from the nearby hotels and residences. This project is not the responsibility of the Irrigation Department alone as it encompasses other organisations such as the Kandy Municipal Council, the Central Environmental Authority, Highways Department, Engineering Department, The Engineering Faculty of the University of Peradeniya and the Hadabima Authority. They all have a collective responsibility in the restoration and the preservation of this cultural asset which is in the heart of the city. Deputy Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Bimal Ratnayake, Mayor of Kandy Kesara Senanayke and religious dignitaries were also present. |
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