Work begins on Northern irrigation projects
by Anura Maitipe
The Re-awakening Project launched under the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry with World Bank financial assistance has taken the initiative to rehabilitate the main four irrigation schemes in the Northern Province at a cost of Rs. 835 million, Project Director P.H. Sugathadasa said. The project has allocated Rs. 385 million for Giants Tank in Mannar district and Rs 200 million for Iranamadu in the Kilinochchi district.
Rs 200 million has been allocated for Vallukkaru in the Jaffna District and Rs 50 million for Pavatkulam in the Vavuniya district. The reconstruction work of all these projects other than Iranamadu are in progress with set time targets, he said. Sugathadasa added that Vallukkaru, Giants Tank and Pavatkulam irrigation schemes will be completed soon. The construction work of Iranamadu will commence with the clearance of landmines.
With the completion of Giants Tank, it will provide irrigation facilities for 24,438 acres, Pavatkulam for 4,134 acres and Iranamadu for 9,560 acres.
These three irrigation schemes together will provide irrigation facilities for over 38,132 acres of land in the Northern Province, he said.
The Valukkaiaru scheme in the Jaffna district is a drainage scheme which prevents inflow of salt water and drains out flood waters into the sea.
All these irrigation schemes were badly damaged due to the war in the area during the past three decades.
Over 39,800 war affected families in the Northern Province will benefit with the completion of these four projects, Sugathadasa said.
(Source: Daily News – 22nd December, 2009)