By Sanath Gamage

The company that received the contract for the renovation of Tissamaharama tank, which is commonly called ‘ Tissa Wewa’ in the Hambantota District said yesterday that permission for the project had been earlier obtained from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) but the company was not aware of the need to obtain permission from the Department of Archaeology. The company apologised to all the parties concerned for its lapse. 

The company said the project would be implemented as planned under the supervision of the Department of Irrigation and the Department of Archaeology. The Chief Executive said the contractor company Gaja Holdings Ltd is a Sri Lankan company that has undertaken the renovation project as a pilot project and that it is using a locally manufactured dredging machine for the project. He said dredging could be carried out without removing water. 
“It is a misconception that the project is implemented by a Chinese company. However, the dredging machine was turned out with the help of Chinese engineers. Four Chinese engineers would leave the country after handing over the machine and two others will stay here to look into its maintenance. They are not military officials. The dispute over their uniforms was resolved by changing its pattern.