Progress made to halt erosion of Kelani river bund

Daily News expose bring results:

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: Following the Daily News expose on May 15 about the river bund near Udana Mawatha, Gonawala continuously getting washed away, speedy measures have been taken jointly by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights along with the Ceylinco group to safeguard residents living close to the Kelani river.

The Daily News report highlighted the plight of the residents who were in the midst of danger owing to the continuous erosion of the river bund.

There is only about a 10 feet wide section of the 60 feet wide bund that is left. If the bund breaches, at least 1,000 houses and the Biyagama-Colombo road will go under water.

Hence the news drew the attention of parties to seek speedy measures to mend the river bund.

The Department of Irrigation has prepared an estimate and the construction would cost Rs. 25 million.

The Irrigation Department will carry out the construction work. Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told the Daily News that Ceylinco Finance Limited has donated Rs. 5 million for the construction work following the Daily News expose.

Considering the national interest in the issue, the Disaster Management Ministry has allocated Rs. 10 million.

Ceylinco Limited authorities have also expressed their consent to pay the rest of Rs. 10 million. The other companies under the Ceylinco group will contribute for this. The Minister has advised his officials and the Government Agent in Gampaha at a meeting at the AGA's Office, Gampaha to take immediate action to evacuate residents to a safe location. Measures have already been taken to provide them alternate lands with immediate effect.

"This is a unique situation where the private sector has shown keenness on helping in the problems which is of national importance.

It is a part of cooperate and social responsibility and they have definitely gone beyond financial concerns which most private sector entrepreneurs entertain", Samarasinghe said.