Major irrigation schemes to open next year

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said in Parliament yesterday that the Rambaken Oya, Deduru Oya and Gurugal Oya irrigation schemes engineered with local expertise, will be opened next year.

The minister was speaking during the committee stage debate of the budget 2013 under the finance head of the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry.

He said that the ministry would strive to change attitudes regarding water resources management among farmers.

Priority has been given to improve both human and physical resources connected to irrigation and water resources management. Accordingly, 200 new technical officers are undergoing training at the Galgamuwa Training Centre while 60 technical officers are being trained at the Kotmale Training Centre. Plans are afoot to train 1,000 new technical officers during the next three years.

The minister said the Chinese government provided US$ 252 million for the construction of the Moragahakanda project.

The Kaluganga irrigation scheme is being implemented under Kuwait funding. Construction work of the Uma Oya project has been expedited.

The government has allocated Rs. 300 million to the Menik Oya project and Rs 700 million to the Yan Oya irrigation scheme.