Boat services in tanks will sink farmers

8 March 2011 03:30 pm Views - 5053

The DNA today charged that the government’s move to start boat services in ancient tanks such as the Parakrama Samudra, Nachchaduwa, Minneriya and Padaviya would have severe repercussions on farmers and freshwater fishing industry.
 
DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that the government had called for expressions of interest from prospective investors to start boat services for local and foreign tourists in ancient.

Making remarks during the debate on new regulations on fertilizer imports, Dissanayake said the Irrigation and Water Management Ministry had put up a newspaper advertisement calling for tenders from investors to start such boat services in 22 inland water reservoirs.

Among them are also Tisa Weva, Anuradhapura, Kantale Weva, Kondawatuwana Weva, Ampara, Boralesgamuwa Weva, Sorabora Weva in Mahiyangane and Magalla Weva in Nikaweratiya.

Mr. Dissanayake said that ancient Kings such as Parakrama Bahu and Dhatusena never built these ancient tanks for such purposes.

(Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)