Deduru Oya project nearing completion
Ariyapala Wansathilake - Kurunegala Central Special
Construction work on the Deduru Oya project has been completed by
about 95 percent said project Manager B.A.A.S. Perera at the District
Development Committee meeting held at the Kurunegala Chief Secretariat
Auditorium Conference Hall recently. Co-operatives and Internal Trade
Minister Johnston Fernando presided.
The project manager said that 95 percent of the main dam, 85 percent
of the Southern sluice gates, 20 percent of the Southern canal, and 70
percent of the left canal have been completed.
There are about 700 families in the areas which fall under the four
Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Maspotha, Ganewaththa, Mahawa and
Wariyapola, he said.
The project manager answering a question raised by Minister Johnston
Fernando said that people who will be displaced due to the Deduru Oya
project were given the option of selecting land areas of their own
preference for their re-settlement. The selection of these lands was
carried out by the Project Commissioner and the Divisional Secretaries.
He said 77 families who were displaced in the Kobeygane Divisional
Secretariat Division were provided with half acre land each from
Peterwell Estate at Wariyapola in Bamunakotuwa and all these families
will in addition get compensation for their land.
He said the construction work of Deduru Oya project is being carried
under the supervision of the Irrigation Department. Deduru Oya runs
through Yapahuwa, Nikweratiya and Anamaduwa electorates up to the
Iginimitiya reservoir.
Further he explained that one of the main objectives of the project
is to provide water to irrigate 2,640 hectares in Iginimitiya which
faces an acute water shortage problem. From this project water will be
provided to Pedibadi Ella and Thabbowa to enable farmers to cultivate in
both the Yala and Maha seasons.
Minister Johnston Fernando said the present government was able to
start the massive irrigation project which is currently being
implemented and will be commissioned this year. The second 20 metre high
dam is now being constructed near Wariyapola he said.
The Minister further said the objective of the project was to prevent
about 1,000 billion cubic metres of water flowing out to the sea, and to
be used for productive purposes.
District Secretary H.M.P. Hitisekara, Provincial Minister of
Agriculture H.M.D.B. Herath and all the heads of departments
participated in this event. |
