Twelve irrigation projects in Ratnapura district

Irangika RANGE

COLOMBO: The Government has embarked on developing small scale irrigation projects countrywide under its programme of “Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu” aiming at sustainable development in the Agriculture sector.

Irrigation Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera told the Daily News that 12 small scale irrigation projects will be developed in Ratnapura District as a first phase of the programme. The Government has already allocated Rs.12 million to be carried out the programme.

The Minister said that the development of 11 small scale irrigation projects out of 12 projects have already been initiated in the areas of Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala, Balangoda, Kolonna and Rakwana.

A foundation stone for the 12th project will be laid in Kuruvita on July 4.

He said that all these irrigation projects are due to completed in December this year. These projects will vastly benefit farmers cultivating nearly 1,000 acres of paddy fields in these areas. It is a major objective of the programme to facilitate the farmers.

The program will be expanded in other areas too in shortly under the “Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu Program” for the benefit of farmers in the country.