Farmers end death fast

Chula Bandara Kulasekera

SERUVILA: The fast unto death hunger strike launched by the farmers of Seruvila who depend on the Mavil-Aru waters for their sustenance, ended after nine days when Agrarian Services and Farmer Community Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena, instructed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. intervened to address their grievances.

Minister Chandrasena, visited Seruvila last Saturday(29) and discussed the issue with the farmers who were fasting at Kallaru Junction, Somapura, about three kilo meters from the Mavil-Aru Anicut and pledged to open the sluice by getting rid of the obstacles caused by the LTTE. He also promised them compensation for loss of their harvest.

The Minister further agreed to repair the Kantale-Mavil Aru Road under the President's "Jathika Saviya" programme in order to facilitate access to the anicut.