Mega irrigation projects underway in Northern Province

The Government has taken several measures to reconstruct and renovate irrigation system in the Northern Province on the directive of Northern Task Force Chairman, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A Chandrasiri said.

The demining process is successfully carried out in areas surrounding the Giant Tank and Iranamadu Tank.

The demining work is expected to be completed prior to the commencing of next season enabling paddy cultivation in these areas.

Priority will be given to ensure that the demining process is carried out in such a way that no threat will be posed to the people and their livelihood programs after resettlement.

“The demining process is carried out under strict conditions to ensure that these areas will be completely out of danger for civilians after resettlement”, Governor Major General Chandrasiri said.

Several irrigation tanks in the Vavuniya district will be renovated including the Pirappanmaduwa, Kanakkayagama paving the way for the Sinhala families to resettle in these areas, who were forced to flee due to LTTE threats and intimidations, Governor Chandrasiri said.

A new irrigation project- Varukkai Aru Scheme has been initiated at a cost of Rs. 103.99 million.

Construction works are afoot allocating Rs. 138 million for entire irrigation projects in the Jaffna district, under the Uthuru Vasanthaya- 180 day accelerated development program.

These areas have a great potential in paddy and other crop cultivation.

Eleven development programs affiliated to a major Salt Water Exclusion Scheme has been implemented spending Rs. 28.66 million. Two minor irrigation tanks in Jaffna are reconstructed at a cost of Rs.3.4 million.

Under the Upparu lagoon development project, the Ariyalai baraage is nearing completion and a separate dam will be constructed in Kappoothu spending another Rs. 125 million for the project.