Chamal initiates construction work of Malwathuoya Tank Project

By Dayaratne Embogama  

Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapakse said that the reservoir projects had to be implemented amid protests on the allegation of causing environmental damage.
  He said the project would go on in the interest of the people facing hardship for want of drinking water and irrigation facilities.  

Addressing the ceremony to initiate the construction works of the Lower Malwathuoya Tank project in Thanthirimale, the third largest tank project in the country, he said the problems facing the people for want of irrigation facilities and drinking water should be given priority and steps be taken to plant trees in place of those that would be cut down.   

“The project is intended to resolve the shortage of drinking water and irrigation facilities in the Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts. The tank with the capacity of 169,000 acre- feet will feed a hydro-power scheme adding 468 megawatt to the National Grid,” he said.  Minister of Land Development- S.M.Chandrasena, Former Chief Minister S.M.Ranjith Samarakoon, State Ministers Duminda Disanayake, Sheha Semasinghe, Anuradha Jayaratne, Siripala Gamlath, and several Parliamentarians were present at the occasion.