|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| 543 already renovated under 1000 tanks project by Uditha Kumarasinghe The Agriculture, Lands and Irrigation Ministry has fully completed the renovation of 543 tanks throughout the country under the first phase of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government's ambitious "Dahasak Maha Wev Project' (Thousand Tanks) implemented to complete the renovation of 1000 tanks before the end of this year. Agriculture, Lands and Irrigation Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a media briefing yesterday that of these 1000 tanks, the Ministry has already commenced the construction work on 996 tanks countrywide. The renovation of 543 tanks have already been fully completed. According to the progress achieved by the project, the Ministry will be able to renovate over 800 tanks during this year, he said. The Minister said according to the statistics there were nearly 32,000 small and medium scale tanks in Sri Lanka. Only 12,000 small and medium scale tanks remain while all other tanks have been completely destroyed. All key factors based on tanks have faced a severe threat. If this situation continues, the existing tank network will also face an imminent danger. The Ministry through the Dahasak Maha Wev Project took immediate measures to renovate and preserve the country's small and medium scale tanks network by rallying round the people around these tanks, he said. Dissanayake said the Government has granted Rs.400 million to implement this tank renovation project this year. However, a large number of state and private sector institutions have also contributed their financial assistance due to the success achieved by the project. Private sector donors, public servants, professionals and the public have extended their fullest co-operation to make this project a success. The Dahasak Maha Wev Project has also renovated a large number of tanks in North-East areas such as Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya and Trincomalee districts. The project will also renovate selected tanks in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts next year, he said. The Minister said: "Nearly 65 per cent of water from rivers go to the sea without any usage. The Ministry with the intention of bringing this water to small and medium scale tanks will commence two major projects named Deduruoya and Manik Ganga this year." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
