Risky dams to be renovated

Disna Mudalige

Thirty two risky dams in 12 districts are to be completely renovated by June 2013 under Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning Project Component One, said Project Director D C S Elakanda.

He said that renovation work in several dams have started while the remaining dam safety activities are to be commenced within 2011.

The project comprises three components and USD 71.66 million is to be used for the whole project. International Development Association under the World Bank, funds this project.

It has granted a USD 65.33 million interest free loan with a 10 year relief period for this project. The government’s contribution to the project is USD $ 6.33 million.

Dams of Parakrama Samudraya, Minneriya, Girithale, Kaudulla and Maduruoya in Polonnaruwa, Nachchaduwa, Tissawewa, Huruluwewa, Nuwarawewa, Rajanganaya and Kalawewa in Anuradhapura, Kothmale, Norton, Lakshapana, Castlereigh and Canyon in Nuwara Eliya, Randenigala and Rantembe in Badulla and Chandrika wewa in Ratnapura are also included into this project.

Under component two of the project, the water measuring data system will be updated and improved. Rs 550 million will be invested for this work. Work which is to be commenced in 2011 is to be concluded within a year. The Director also said that an underground water operations system will also be established in Sri Lanka investing Rs 200 million.

A basic plan on water consumption in the country covering all 25 districts will be fabricated after discussions with all relevant parties in each district under component three of this project, Elakanda noted. Plans for water resource development will also be invented after a serious study while updating the Mahaweli plan. Rs 350 million will be invested to carry out the third component of the project, he added.