D.A. Rajapaksa reservoir complex

Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: The Agrarian Services and Farmer Community Development Ministry has decided to name the Julaththawa tank in the Belliatta electorate after veteran politician D.A. Rajapaksa, the father of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in recognition of the great service rendered by him to the public.

The tank and its surrounding area will be developed as a place of scenic beauty, providing leisure and recreation to the public and named the D.A.Rajapaksa Reservoir Complex. The Agrarian Service Department has already commenced the construction work to renovate the tank and its surrounding area, an Agrarian Services and Farmer Community Development Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

Construction activities of the project which commenced on August 13 is scheduled to be completed within three months.

In addition to this, the Ministry has also commenced renovation of the Mathakadaara tank in the Tissamaharama electorate, Kadurupokuna Pahala tank in the Tangalle electorate and several anicuts in these electorates.

Agrarian Services and Farmer Community Development Minister S.M.Chandrasena made an inspection tour to ceremonially commence the construction work on the tanks in Hambantota including the proposed D.A.Rajapaksa reservoir complex project and other tanks and anicuts to be renovated in Galle and Matara districts on August 13 and 14.

Following a request made by farmers in Beliatta from Minister Chandrasena during his inspection tour, a decision was taken to name the Julaththawa tank project after the late D.A.Rajapaksa, he said.

Under the Government's 10,000 tank programme, it has earmarked 400 tanks and anicuts or renovation in the Southern Province which come under the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts, the spokesman said.