A'pura tank rehabilitation in progress

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

About 200 medium and small-scale tanks in the Anuradhapura District are being rehabilitated under the Deyata Kirula - 2012 infrastructural development programme, by the Irrigation and Agrarian Services Department.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will inaugurate construction work of the proposed Yan-Oya reservoir at Wahalkada Horowpothana on February 4 simultaneously to the opening of the Oyamaduwa Deyata Kirula exhibition.

The reservoir will cater to 5,000 hectares of fresh farmlands in both the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts, Anuradhapura District Irrigation Director Wasantha Bandara Palugaswewa said.

"The Chinese government provides funds for the construction of the reservoir having water capacity of 250,000 acres.

It is envisaged to complete the project within three years, Palugaswewa said.

Six abandoned tanks such as, Pahala Andaradigiliya, Ihala Andaradigiliya, Metiwewa, Fonseka Wewa and Karapinchawewa are being rehabilitated at a cost of Rs 20 million.

At the Divisional Secretariat level, irrigation upgrading work worth Rs 150 million is in rapid progress, Palugaswewa said.