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by Anura Maitipe

The main hydro reservoirs and irrigation tanks had been filled and there will be no shortage of water for the next three harvests. Hydro power stations would also be able to generate electricity around the year.

This was revealed by the Mahawali and River Basin Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena during our recent visit to Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The hydro reservoirs of Kotmale, Victoria, Randenigala, Rantambe Mauseakelle, Castlereigh, Luxapaana, Samanala Wewa, Kukule ganga, Iginimitiya and Udawalawe had been reached with its full capacity after ten years.

The Deputy Director Irrigation U. B. Alahakoon said, "that all internal water tanks in Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts such as Kala Wawa, Padavi Wawa, Nachiyaduwa Wawa, Hurulu Wawa, Nuwara Wawa, Wahalkadda Wawa, Angamu Wawa, Parakarama Samudraya, Minneriya Wawa, Giritale Wawa Kaudulu Wawa and Rajanganaya Wawa have been filled. Storage water in these tanks are sufficient for three harvests".

According to Agriculture authorities, the set target of 2,50,000 metric tones of paddy during Maha season in 2005/2006 from Ampara District will be easily achieved. The paddy yield in other Districts such as Batticoloa Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kurunagala, Hambantota and Monaragala would also be much higher than previous years.

The paddy stores in Ampara district are at present have 31,993 metric tones of paddy and 11,000 metric tones of rice. These stocks had been purchased from farmers during previous Yala season. The officials have now taken initiatives to sell these stocks as quick as possible in order to provide storage facilities for incoming crop.

In addition to Ampara district, paddy stores in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also with substantial stocks of paddy and rice. And authorities in these districts too have taken initiatives to clear this stock before commencement of Maha harvest in the year 2006.

Meanwhile, Minister Maithreepala Sirisena assured to increase the numbers of purchasing centres of paddy on an islandwide basis in order to facilitate farmers in the country while providing a competitive price for paddy produced by them. The needed funds for this purposes have already been allocated from the Treasury.

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