Weheragala Reservoir Project to cultivate 25,000 acres

The Weheragala Reservoir Project will provide water to cultivate 25,000 paddy acres in both Yala and Maha seasons, said Ports, Civil Aviation and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

The Minister was addressing a meeting that followed the opening of sluice gates of the Weheragala reservoir to supply water to farmers to mark the Minister’s birthday celebrations.

The water of Menik Ganga flows into the sea without being used for a fruitful purpose. The Weheragala reservoir was set up by building a dam across the Menik Ganga, the Minister said. The Minister said the dam was set up in the Yala National Park on the Buttala - Kataragama road and the water of Menik Ganga will be taken to 23 kilometres away to Lunugamvehera by a channel. The Project that was started in 2006 had cost Rs. 1,722 million to date, he said.

‘King Maha Parakramabahu had said even a drop of water should not be released to the sea without being utilised. This reservoir has been built in keeping with the aspirations of King Maha Parakramabahu, he said.

The Minister added the farmers at Weerawila, Debarawewa, Thanamalwila, Pannegamuwa will be able to cultivate both Yala and Maha seasons when the construction work of the reservoir is completed.

There is an acute shortage of drinking water during the Kataragama pilgrimage season. The reservoir project will be a solution for that, the Minister said.

Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu-Kataragama Maha Devalaya Sashindra Rajapaksa, Secretary of the Ministry of Irrigation A.D.S. Gunawardena, Director General of Irrigation H.P.S. Somasiri, Weheragala Project Director Sarath Wijesekera, Media Secretary of the Irrigation Ministry Nimal Weeratunga were present.