Illegal settlers near reservoirs to be evicted

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has ordered the eviction of all encroachers occupying areas surrounding the Mahaweli river.

This follows a special inspection tour made by the Minister to Kotmale, Victoria and Polgolla reservoirs over the weekend.

It was noted that the Kotmale reservoir had been running at low capacity during the past 12 years although there had been sufficient rains in the area.

It was revealed that one reason for this was the destruction of forests for chena cultivation by those illegally occupying the areas surrounding the reservoir and the discharge of waste material into the water.

As an immediate solution the Minister ordered the clearing of all illegal settlers from the areas bordering all reservoirs.