Minister stresses need to renovate damaged tanks

Mohammed Naalir

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said that a sustainable solution can be found to the food shortage once the abandoned and damaged tanks were renovated.

Minister Gunawardane was speaking after handing over the Padukka Arukwatta water supply scheme constructed at a cost of Rs. 6 million for the benefit of 225 families in Arukwatta who underwent immense hardships owing to the shortage of drinking water.

Several other development projects too have been mooted in these areas, including health, education environment, education programmes for the rural community, womens empowerment programmes and child skills development programmes, Minister Gunawardene added.

Continuing he said eventhough the developed countries are rich in modern technologies they too are facing food shortages due to improper use of agri crops for fuel production.

He said there are more than thirty thousand tanks in the country and if these were developed and utilised properly there would never be a food shortage in the future.

Moragahakanda Sri Maha Viharadipathi Berannawe Wimala Thera, Padukka Sasanarakshaka Society Chairman Udugalkande Hemaloka Thera and several others were also present.