Flood control project under way

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (LRDC) is building 10 new tanks in and around Colombo to absorb flood waters which caused havoc in the city in recent times.

Harshan de Silva

It has been estimated that the project which has two phases will cost over Rs 400 million. Under the first phase, five tanks are being dug at Rampalawatta at Pelawatta, Talawathugoda, Heen Ela at Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita, Peliyagoda and at Diyawannawa near Waters Edge. It has been observed that these areas regularly go under water during heavy rains. LRDC Chairman Harshan de Silva said that five tanks which were being constructed in the first phase are in progress. It is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. However, out of the five tank projects, work in Rampalawatte, and Peliyagoda premises is nearing completion.

Accordingly, 50 percent of the construction of Rampalawatte tank has been completed. The 24 acre Rampalawatte tank would hold 65,000 cubic metres of water. The project would be completed by March. Construction of the Peliyagoda tank is also continuing apace with 70 percent of the work completed.

The tank is being dug in an eight acre marshy land near the new fish market. The construction of the 23 acre Talawatugoda tank is also in progress. It is expected to be completed in the next few months. Heen Ela tank project is considered as a vital construction since it can hold a significant quantity of water.

The Heen Ela tank will be constructed on, 54 acre land. The Diyawannawa tank is being built by widening the Diyawanna Oya. The tank is spread over 44 acres, the Chairman said. De Silva said the Diyawannawa tank would prevent the Parliament complex from flooding. The Chairman assured that other authorized constructions in these tanks construction areas would remain intact as the tanks would be built on available land.

According to the Chairman, the Peliyagoda tank would prevent floods in the Gampaha district which was another area badly affected by the recent deluge. In addition, drainage lines in and around the Colombo city are also being expanded as it is reported that the capacity of the system was not sufficient to take up the water flow which is brought on by the heavy showers experienced.