Govt to develop townships in Mahaweli zone

Priyanka Kurugala in Ampara

The government will develop every town in the Mahaweli zone, Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony to provide deeds for the first colonists of the Rambaken Oya Irrigation Project at Mahaoya

All benefits of the project will be provided to the public. The authorities will analyze information on the deeds that have been given by previous governments. The people who do not have deeds will be provided with deeds after inspecting their utilization of lands. The government will provide assistance to build houses. The people will be provided two acres. One and half acres will be provided for paddy cultivation, he said.

Senior Minister for Food and Nutrition P Dayaratne said the Rambaken Oya project commenced in 1976. The people have been waiting for the completion of the Project for about 34 years. The government will complete its construction in 2012.

Eastern Provincial Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Digamadulla district parliamentarian Shriyani Wijewickrama, Mahaweli Authority director general Gamini Rajakaruna, Regional Project Manager A D F de Indrasekera and Irrigation director general Dr G G A Godaliyadda also participated.