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[CITIZENS’ MAIL]
My attention was drawn to the letter written by L.L. Leanage of
Ambalangoda on the above subject, which appeared in the Citizens’ Mail
column on March 14. There is some more information I could add, as to
how this right was won.
Due to lack of space in third class compartments, office travellers
were forced to travel on train foot boards at grave risk. There were
many accidents, with passengers striking against signal posts and
bridges.
The Ven. Devamottawe Amarawansa Thera, a very influential Buddhist
priest during that time, led a protest squatting on the rail track at
Ganemulla. The Minister of Transport wanted the GMR to make all office
trains classless. The GCSU was also in the scene.
There is a vast development in the Railway after the new GMR took
over. The implementation of the railway development programme prepared
some time back by IRCON India, upgrading the rail tracks with concrete
sleepers, long welded rails and colour light signalling are some. I had
the opportunity of working with the Indian Engineers at the planning
stage.
A right won by the working class cannot be withdrawn. With the
re-arrangement of the coaches of the train sets, I hope the GMR will nip
this in the bud and leave no room for any upheaval which can tarnish the
good image he has built.
B.B. Perera – Katubedda
The main celebrations of World Water Day were held under the aegis of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who underlined the fact that 'Water is the
lifeblood of the nation'. The National Water Supply & Drainage Board for
the first time held an exhibition at the BMICH, at which its Additional
General Manager in a TV interview promised that from next year the
exhibition will be spread over five days 'to educate the people on the
importance of water and its conservation'.
Everybody knows that Sri Lanka's history and civilization as a
paddy-based agricultural country, is connected to water resources. The
103 rivers and wevas which provide water for a variety of purposes were
used by our ancestors for the benefit of the nation. The tanks of
varying capacities store rain water which is used in the dry seasons for
domestic, agriculture and industrial requirements. In most studies
focusing on water scarcity, Sri Lanka is ranked among countries with
little or moderate water scarcity. Wetlands of many types, from
freshwater to saline water as well as natural man-made ones are found in
many parts of the country. These include tanks, marshes, estuaries and
paddy fields. All these wetlands provide many eco-system services too
and are essential parts of the overall natural environment.
With each passing year, the demand for water has increased. About 80%
of the rural domestic water supply needs are obtained from ground water
by dug wells and tube wells. In many areas where surface water systems
are not fully reliable, ground water is used for industrial and
commercial purposes as well. In some parts of the Northern, North
Western and Eastern coastal areas excessive concentrations of minerals
(due to geological conditions of the soil), iron and nitrates (due to
agro-chemicals and fertilizers) have been reported in water supplies.
Furthermore due to over exploitation of ground water for domestic and
agricultural use in coastal areas, brackish water intrusion has been
recorded. Domestic level rain water harvesting (RWH) is popular in
districts where periodical water shortages are common. RWH systems in
operation have increased from an estimated 11,400 in 2002 to 32,000 in
2012.
The NWS&DB has launched projects such as the Pavithra Ganga, to keep
water bodies clean. The aim of the Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga project, Uma
Oya project, Kirindi Oya project is to increase existing water supplies.
Since water is critical for many reasons, communities tend to be
vigilant about water-related issues. Hence community as well as
community organizations are very concerned about water and their right
to access water.
In this backdrop it is noticeably seen that thousands of people in
rural village areas in Matale, Puttalam, Amparai, Moneragala,
Trincomalee and Anuradhapura Districts suffer due to lack of water
supplies for drinking and agricultural purposes. To them water is the
most precious commodity. They are compelled to trek long distances with
pots and pans to collect drinking water. Immediate attention should be
paid to these rural villages, by providing them with the source of life
which is Water. Further action should be taken to :
* Establish a proper mechanism to release water for agriculture with
better participation of farmers and farmer organizations.
* Encourage practices directed towards water efficiency in
agriculture.
* Promote the harvesting of rainwater in urban and rural areas.
* Map-out the water resources of the country before planning large
scale water projects.
HARSHI NADIE PERERA – PILIYANDALA
The road off Udahamulla Road in Delkanda leading to several houses,
starting from premises No. 41, remains neglected for several years now,
while other roads in the area have been tarred or concreted. This
particular road was gazetted in 2004 to be widened, private property
were acquired and even the tender for development was awarded to a
contractor. However just one person, a non-resident of the area, made
stubborn objections to the Municipal Council acquiring his block of
land.
It is an open secret that he had induced the MC Member of the area to
delay the project. As a result, the widening of this road has not got
off the ground upto date. After six long years, a case has now been
filed with regard to this matter. On rainy days, the residents and the
people using this road face untold hardships due to the muddy state and
the many pot holes. People using the road are compelled to leap like
frogs from one mound to another due to the puddles of water.
When the Kotte Municipal Council Chairman was contacted, his
stereotype answer was, “The case is before courts. Talk to the legal
officer”. For how long will the MC play this same record, is the
question that residents ask. Representations made to the MC over the
past eight years have been like playing the violin to deaf elephants (Beeri
alinta veena gahanawa wage).
When will the authorities awake from their sleep? The MC authorities
should summon the party concerned using its powers, settle the issue
without further delay and bring relief to the other residents. The court
case can be then withdrawn. The residents look forward to the day when
this road will be widened and developed. We too are tax-payers after
all.
The government launched several development schemes such as the Gama
Neguma and Eka Gamakata Eka Vedak projects with the blessings of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in order to ensure that development work
which had been delayed or not undertaken at village level be implemented
and expedited. These development schemes were aimed at bringing better
standards of living to the general public irrespective of political
party or race.
D. Perera - Nugegoda
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