Work on Veheragala Reservoir project across Menik Ganga begins

by Jayasiri Munasinghe with Tissa gr.corr.

The construction work on the Veheragala Reservoir Project across the Menik Ganga was inaugurated yesterday when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse laid the foundation stone at Mulgala Junction, Lunugamvehera, yesterday (06) morning at 9.00 a.m.

The project launched under the Ministry of Irrigation, Lands, Agriculture and Livestock Resources, costing Rs.1822 million to irrigate 25,000 acres of arable land inhabited by 12,000 farmer families is expected to be completed within two years. The project which is an age old dream of Girivapattu residents in the Hambantota District will be one of the major irrigational projects to the credit of the United People's Freedom Alliance Government.

On arrival at the Galge Road Barrier on the Buttala-Kataragama main road, the Premier was received by Parliamentarians headed by Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.

The foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister while the Maha Sangha headed by Ven.Dr.Devalegama Dhammasena, the Chief Incumbent of the Tissamaharama Raja Mahaviharaya and Ven.Padavugama Jinananda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Sellakatharagama Mahasena Raja Maha Viharaya chanted "Seth Pirith". Members of the clergy of other religions too were present to bless the project.

The welcome address was delivered by Deputy Minister Bimal Ratnayake. The project includes five small tanks to store water for the benefit of wild life of the Veheragala National Forest Park. Rs.280 million has been allocated for this purpose.

The construction work of the Veheragala Reservoir Project will be handled by local engineers supported by the residents of Lunugamvehera, Thanamalwila and Katharagama.

Fisheries and Water Resources Deputy Minister Nihal Galappatthi, Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Chamal Rajapakse and Irrigation Director were among those who addressed the ceremony. Urban Development Deputy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Hambantota District UNP MP Sajith Premadasa, JVP MP Vijitha Ranaweera and a host of Provincial Council and Pradeshiya Sabha members attended the occasion.