Oyamaduwa project to cater to Deyata Kirula water needs

Priyanka KURUGALA

With the aim of providing an uninterrupted water supply for the 2012 Deyata Kirula exhibition in Anuradhapura, the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry has taken steps to construct the Oyamaduwa Water Supply Project following a directive of Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardana.

Authorities estimate that around 500,000 people will participate on a single day for the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition. It has been estimated that around 2,000 cubic meters of water will be requested to cater to the crowd visiting the daily exhibition site, a ministry source said.

Apart from that, with a water purification centre the ministry has planned to construct three large water tanks each with a capacity of 80 cubic meters for the area. Similarly a number of tube wells will also be constructed. The Talawa Oya will provide the water in the first stage for this project. In the second stage they have planned to use the Mahavilachchiya reservoir for the project. The ministry has planned to provide water to 50 other tanks under this project. The ministry has estimated the cost to be, around Rs 600 million.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said according to the Mahinda Chinthana future plan the government has drawn up a plan to provide all facilities to villages which have been provided to the urban community. The minister also said "this is a historical event for the country. The government has taken steps to launch many development programmes for the village community. Along with the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition the ministry has planned to solve the drinking water problem of the area. Other than that, the ministry has planned to increase the living standards and health facilities and also, to develop business and enterprises to reduce the time wasted by villagers in collecting water.

Chief Incumbent of the ancient Thanthirimale temple Ven Thanthirimale Chandrarathana Thera, Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, North Central Province Governor Karunaratna Diwulgane, North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Irrigation and Water Management Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake, Secretary to the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry A Abegunasekara also participated in this event.