SJB raises issue of proposed construction of Sinharaja tanks

Irrigation Act will be amended – Minister  

Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa on Thursday told Parliament that there were many weaknesses in the current Irrigation Act, and that the ministry had proposed amendments thereto to the Attorney General’s Department.

Minister Rajapaksa made this statement responding to SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana, who asked whether it was possible to construct two reservoirs inside the Sinharaja Rainforest under the Irrigation Ordinance.

The government had initiated a programme to clean 103 rivers and strengthen the banks of irrigation tanks in the country, the Irrigation Minister said.

The minister said he would visit Anuradhapura, on March 31, to commence the construction work of the Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir. He also planned to discuss the misuse of the water from the Thissawewa with the officials responsible for the protection of the tank, the minister said.

Responding to another question raised by MP Pathirana, Minister Rajapaksa said that the water in the Thissawewa was polluted and that unauthorised settlers and hotel owners were responsible for it.

The minister said that bathing had been prohibited in the tank, adding that alternative bathing spots had been set up on the banks of the Abhaya Wewa, Bulankulama Wewa, and Malwathu Oya. He added that a programme would be conducted to raise public awareness of the issue. (SI)