Urusitawewa reservoir being silted

P S Gunasekara Sooriyawewa group corr

The Urusitawewa anicut made of granite with the emblem depicting seven snake heads is a tourist attraction in Mahagama. Picture by Sooriyawewa group corr

The historic Urusitawewa in Mahagama, a reservoir dating back to the time of King Mahanage of Ruhuna is facing the threat of getting fully silted.

The catchment area of the reservoir is threatened by those who had constructed buildings and started various cultivations after clearing its vegetation.

This has caused heavy soil erosion in the catchment area resulting in the reservoir being filled with silt during heavy rains.

Moreover, invasive plants have grown in the reservoir on a large scale threatening its existence.

The Urusitawewa provides irrigation facilities to 1,600 acres of paddy lands in the Mahagama- Hathpurana area.

Mahaweli Development scheme Walawe project manager Asanka Gunatilake said steps are being taken to protect the reservoir by clearing it of all invasive plant growth and evicting illegal encroaches on its catchment area.