President recalls Mavil Aru episode:

Govt ensured basic right of water to people

Dharma Sri Abeyratne in Trincomalee

The government took steps to protect Human Rights and Fundamental Rights, which were violated by the LTTE by closing the Mavil-Aru anicut, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa commissions the Greater Trincomalee Integrated Water Supply Project in Kantale. Picture by Sudath Silva

The humanitarian mission was launched to protect and safeguard Human Rights since the LTTE violated a basic fundamental right of people to have water, the President said.

The government is preserving water resources and it is the duty of all to protect it, President Rajapaksa said.

He said even though during the UNP regime, water resources were to be sold in accordance with an agreement with international financial organisations, this government has clearly understood its responsibility to protect water resources.

"The then UNP rulers made arrangements and planned to sell our water resources without even considering the country's time honoured hydraulic heritage," he said.

The President made these observations after commissioning the Greater Trincomalee Integrated Water Supply Project (GTIWSP) in Kantale.

The Trincomalee town area and its surroundings were supplied with water through a water scheme, which had been built in the early 1980's. Since the water scheme was insufficient to cater to the ever increasing demand, Trincomalee and its suburbs were faced with immense difficulties due to a scarcity of water. He said as a remedy to this burning issue, the government constructed a new water supply scheme named GTIWSP. The former water supply scheme used water from the Kantale tank. Due to the irrigation requirements, the authorities had to limit the water extraction quantity from the Kantale tank. Therefore, the people in the area experienced a scarcity of water throughout the year.

"As a people - friendly government, we had to provide a solution to this burning problem with immediate effect. But the government had to consider the water requirements for irrigation and agricultural needs in the area. Therefore, the new GTIWSP extracts water from Mahaweli river instead of extracting water only from Kantale tank. The new scheme supplies water to Kantale, Thambalagamuwa, Kinniya, Trincomalee town and part of Kuchchaveli," the President said.

President Rajapaksa said supplying water is a meritorious task.

"Sri Lankans have been accustomed to offer water. The villagers filled pinthaliya with water, showing friendliness and the water in the pinthaliya quenched the thirst of hundreds of travelers," he said.

The President highlighted the value of protecting water resources since it is a limited resource.

"The government spends millions to supply purified water for the people but in return a very little amount is charged for the water supply. When the LTTE harassed people by closing the Mavil -Aru anicut, the government had to commence the humanitarian operation for the sake of water for the innocent people. The government's prime intention is to supply water to the affected people. The government carried out the humanitarian operation to protect the Human Rights of people, which were violated by the LTTE by closing the Mavil-Aru anicut," he said.

The President said with the opening of the Mavil Aru anicut, the government could supply not only water but also bring eternal peace, harmony, prosperity to the entire country. "Moreover, Human Rights could be protected," he said.

The President said with the dawn of peace, farmers can now go their paddy fields without the fear of death.

"Farmers can engage in farming activities as usual without any harassment by the LTTE. Students can engage in educational activities without fear," the President said.