Mahaweli deeds for farmers this year - Nimal Siripala

Priyanka Kurugala

Providing Mahaweli deeds for farmers should be the main target this year, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

There had been delays in providing Mahaweli deeds to farmers, the minister added. Minister de Silva was addressing a ceremony to mark the commencement of work in the New Year at the ministry.

Over 5,000 employees work at the Irrigation and Water Management Ministry. It has to be carried out while completing other programmes such as constructing reservoirs and launching development projects.

The public expects transparency of authorities. All authorities should be answerable to the public, he added. "Every worker needs to be provided with targets to be successful," he said.

If the authorities cheat the public, it will create the opportunity for people to criticize officers. Politicians and officers who work with commitment should not be scared of criticisms. Criticism is another aspect of democracy, he said. Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry Secretary Ivon de Silva, Mahaweli Authority Director General Gamini Rajakaruna and Additional Secretary Shantha Wijerathna also participated.