Giant’s Tank to be rehabilitated after Mannar liberation

By Anura MAITIPE

The World Bank has allocated Rs. 385 million to rehabilitate the Giant’s Tank in the Mannar District under the Re-awakening project launched by the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Project Director, P. H. Sugathadasa told the Sunday Observer.

The tank which was the main reservoir in the Mannar district had been abandoned due to the conflict situation for the past two decades.

As a result of the channel system the tank has been filled with mud and its bund has been eroded due to lack of proper maintenance for a long period, he said.

The total capacity of the tank is 31,500 acre feet and it provides irrigation facilities for over 32,422 ha of paddy lands through 223 medium and small tanks in the area, he said.

With the completion of rehabilitation work on this project over 19,887 families will benefit and they would be able to cultivate their lands throughout the year, he said.