Renovation of six tanks in Mahaweli G Zone begins

Priyanka Kurugala

"If small scale reservoirs had been renovated , the country would have been able to face any drought situation. The renovation programme of small scale water reservoirs was delayed for a long time owing to various reasons. It caused a delay in the renovation of small tanks," Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

The Irrigation and Water Management Minister was addressing a meeting at the Mahaweli Auditorium in Bakamoona recently. This meeting was held after the commencing of renovation work on six tanks in the Mahaweli "G" Zone.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a directive that the tank renovation programme be initiated immediately, at the North Central Province farmers' meeting recently," the minister said. "If we wait to get the the permission of the wildlife authorities to renovate these tanks, we will have to wait at least five years, the minister said. The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry commenced construction work of six tanks in the Mahaweli G Zone under the ministry's new project to construct small tanks to store water, taking into consideration farmers' proposals and lessons learnt from the drought. Minister de Silva ceremonially launched this project by commencing renovation work on the Kongetiya and Mahadeththewa tanks.

"The Irrigation Department will construct the Galserugolla, Pekkulama and Aronbas tanks while the Mahaweli Authority will construct Kongetiya, Heeratioya and Mahadeththewa tanks under this project. The Treasury has made a special allocation for the construction purposes which are estimated at Rs 1,200 million, "the minister added. The minister said the renovation of 126 small tanks nourished by the Kala Wewa had been delayed due to various reasons.