Old irrigation systems to be revived to fight drought

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Committee on Emergency Drought Relief appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to help farmer communities affected by the prevailing drought, is to revive the old and dilapidated irrigation systems, feeder canals and tanks in the drought-affected districts, apart from providing necessary compensation to farmers.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena yesterday told the Daily News that they (the Committee) have sent equipment needed to restore those dilapidated tanks and canals following President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s instructions to rehabilitate them for the future use of agriculture.

Chandrasena said, “we have sent necessary machinery and equipment needed for irrigation works o to Anuradhapura and Polonnmaruwa districts.”

“ There are hundreds of irrigation canals and tanks that have become silted and gone beyond use due to prolonged neglect and lack of action by authorities in the two districts. There are about 136 minor tanks that need immediate repair,” said Chandrasena.

“The Committee, comprising members of Economic Development Ministry, Treasury, Disaster Management Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, Irrigation and Water Resources Ministry and Disaster Management is currently making efforts to revive the ancient tanks and irrigation systems, side by side with the relief effort,” said Minister Chandrasena.

He said the Committee is currently discussing about making payments to farmer communities who will take part in their programme for the restoration of the irrigation cananls and tanks on the orders of the President.

“ We will first go by renovating the least affected agro-wells and tanks,”he said. “ Steps will be taken to dredge those tanks with the support of the relevent District Secretariats and Pradeshiys Sabhas,” he pointed out.

Asked about the situation of the drought, he said said North-Central Province is worst hit by the conditions. “Areas fed by Mahaweli River in the Auradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts are experiencing a severe drought ,” he said.

“The Committee will soon take steps to provide compensation of Rs 10,000 to farmers. Action has been stepped up for this and to provide drinking water to the affected, “he said.

According to sources at the Disaster Management Ministry, the Treasury has allocated Rs 300 million to meet the drinking water needs of farmers and the affected public.

According to Galnewa Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary in the Anuradhapura district Swarna Edirisinghe, they have provided necessary data about the people who have been affected by the drought and about the affected farm lands to the Anuradhapura District Secretariat.

“We expect relief in about two weeks because the conditions can get worse if the present situation were to continue.

Ampara District Secretary Neil De Alwis said, although Ampara is not severely affected by the conditions, the districts Maha Oya and Deeghawaapiya have been affected.

“The government has supported the Secretariat by assisting with its supplies of drinking water to the affected farmers, “he said.

Security personnel have also come to our assistance by helping farmers repair the Hada Oya Canal to ensure water supply to several paddy fields in the district,” he said.