Accelerated tank rehabilitation programme in Matara District

P. P. G. Sugathadasa Thihagoda group corr.

An accelerated irrigation tank rehabilitation and reconstruction project is under way in the Matara district. Under the proposed programme Batuwita Ara, Gigili oya, the Samaradeniya and Kadukana irrigation tanks are to be renovated, said Minister of Home Affairs Chandrasiri Gajadeera.

He made these observations presiding at the Monthly Co-ordinating Committee Meeting held at the Thihagoda Divisional Secretariat Office auditorium recently.

Minister Gajadeera said that necessary plans are afoot to bring 1,200 acres of barren land under paddy cultivation. On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Rs. 1,800 million has been allocated for this purpose by the Government.

Vice Chairman of the Thihagoda Pradeshiya Sabha, Susil Karunathilake said that deep pot holes could be seen on the Welletota highway.

The stretch of road on the Pethara irrigation anicut has also been badly damaged and it has not been repaired for a long time. The prompt attention of the Southern Provincial Road Development Authority should be focused on this matter, he said.

He also complained of the poor power supply in Grama Niladari divisions Narangala, Madaviyangoda, Kitalagama Central, Nadugala and Athudawa in the Pradeshiya Sabha area of Thihagoda.

Thihagoda Pradehsiya Sabha Chairman Nirmal Samarasinghe said a massive road development programme is already under way in the Thihagoda PS area. A total of 52 undeveloped rural roads are to be renovated under this programme with an estimated cost of Rs. 70 million.

All new constructions and reconstructions are expected to be completed within this year.

Grama Niladarini of Administration H.D. Subadra said that vast strides have been made in the voluntary housing programme implemented in the Thihagoda DS area.