Clean water to Jaffna people

ANURA Maitipe

The reawakening project has taken initiative to rehabilitate Valukkaiaru scheme at Rs 268 million to provide clean drinking water to people in Jaffna. Valukkaiaru is situated in the center of Jaffna peninsula and it is a natural water purification plant. This lagoon spread over 14.5 km from Araly barrage to Tellipalai covers an area of 57 sq km in the Tellipalai, Ubuvil, Sandilipay and Chankanai divisions.

The main drainage cannal, barrage and regulators at Valukkaiaru has badly damaged due to lack of care and maintenance for a long period. This has resulted due to the conflict situation prevailed in the area over the past two decades. Water sources of Valukkaiaru have become salty due to sea water intrusion and it has created very bad impact on drinking water in Jaffna peninsula. Acting Director Provincial Irrigation N. Suthakarana said, "the development plan for Valukkaiaru scheme was originally initiated in 1948. The main propose of this plan is to drain out excess flood water to sea during rainy season and to prevent flow of sea water in to the lagoon. Under the on-going rehabilitation process of Valukkaiaru we have constructed a dam to prevent flow of sea water in to paddy fields. And clearing of channels are also in progress. Reconstruction of Araly barrage is also in progress.

With the completion of this project quality of drinking water will improve and entry of sea water in to paddy fields will be prevented. Apart from this it will provide irrigation facilities for 1,450 acres of paddy land in Jaffna peninsula. Over 4,950 families will be benefited by this project.