Moragahakanda second phase project:

Channel upto Iranamadu

Stanley Seneviratne Kurunegala North group corr

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister S. M. Chandrasena said once the Moragahakanda project is completed a large number of farmers will benefit.

He told journalists under the second phase of the Moragahakanda project, the North Central Province Channel will be constructed upto Iranamadu.

Chandrasena said moves are in place to expedite work on the Moragahakanda project and to complete it soon.

He said the Mavilaru Dam is nearing completion.

Once the renovation is completed, a large quantity of unutilized water can be saved for irrigation activities. The reservoirs and tanks in the Northern and Eastern provinces are now being renovated, the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister said the renovation of Raja Ela canal in Kantale has been inaugurated. As the canal was not restored 8,000 acres remained uncultivated every year.

He said the Mahaweli ‘L’ Zone in the North extends upto Nayaru in Mullaitivu.

Accordingly there are nearly 60 tanks in Weli-oya to be renovated. The Ministry has focused on developing the tourism industry in the vicinity of reservoirs and tanks in the Eastern and Northern Provinces.

“We have held discussions with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa,” Chandrasena said.

Plans are also afoot to develop tourism in the vicinity of Nayaru Lagoon in Mallaitivu, he added.

In response to a question, Deputy Minister Chandrasena said a feasibility study is being conducted by Irrigation Engineers to store maximum water in Anuradhapura District reservoirs.

Certain reservoirs are overgrown with salvinia, he said.

The Ministry with the assistance of the Civil Security Force in the area has commenced cleaning Basaw-akkulama and Abayawewa tanks in Anuradhapura.