Back to our hydraulic civilisation

Text and Pic Nimal Wijesinghe-Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

Sri Lanka’s civilisation evolved round water resources and as such it is called a hydraulic or water-based civilization.

According to Mahawamsa towards the end of the Anuradhapura era there had been a wonderful irrigation and water management system with huge tanks, anicuts, dams and canals.

Legend has it that the first-ever tank was built by one “Anuradha” who happened to be a minister of King Vijaya.

Our water-based civilisation was greatly nurtured by the Buddhist culture.

There are about 3,000 large, medium and small tanks located in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which most are in a dilapidated condition today. A large number of micro tanks are hidden in the thick forest cover.

Since independence all governments that came to power from time to time attempted to develop the country.

However, the advent of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Presidency witnessed a speedy development largely in the field of irrigation and agriculture.

Apart from renovating dilapidated tanks the launch of irrigation development schemes such as Moragahakanda, Deduru Oya, Yan Oya etc. are in full swing today.

With the eradication of the 30 year old LTTE menace, the development priorities have been accelerated, especially in water scarce areas such as Kebithigollewa, Medawachchiya, Welioya and Padaviya.

The “Wari Pubuduwa” and “Dry Zone livelihood support and partnership program” (DZLISPP) was launched when the fight against the Tigers was at its peak.

The “Wari Pubuduwa” project to rehabilitate 100 tanks in Anuradhapura is a Japan-Sri Lanka joint venture while the DZLISPP is IFAD funded.

The North Central Provincial Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake in his capacity as Provincial Irrigation Minister has embarked on a 100 tank rehabilitation project in Anuradhapura district.

Under this scheme tanks located in the former LTTE controlled areas are renovated. Already 60 tanks in Padaviya and Kebithigollewa have been earmarked for upgrading.

We have initiated the rehabilitation of Mahapattigala Tank in Kebithigollewa Divisional Secretary’s division and Ruwanmaduwa, Meegaswewa, Galapitagala, Kivulwewa and Kambiliyawa tanks in Padaviya. The North Central Provincial Council has allocated Rs. 100 million for the project. Forty percent renovation work of Mahapattigala tank under which 750 acres could be cultivated has been completed. In addition, we hope to start rehabilitation work of 48 tanks in the war-battered areas at a cost of Rs. 480 million, the North Central Provincial Irrigation Director Gamini Sarath Liyanage said. He is assisted by a courageous staff headed by senior provincial Irrigation Engineer Jayantha Jayasooriya.

Liyanage said that the Chief Minister has instructed him to give priority to tanks under which fresh lands could be cultivated so that the displaced villagers could be resettled.

The creation of a network of feeder canals for collective spill water from large and medium tanks during rainy and the cultivation seasons is under consideration. Already one kilometre long feeder canal has been constructed to take surplus waters of Karambankulam Tank in Medawachchiya to Muwaetagama Tank.

The Director appreciated the role of farmer organisations and Maha Sangha, including, Ven. Viharahalmillewe Dhammarakkhita Nayaka Thera for their patronage.

The Provincial Irrigation Department has launched two other irrigation development schemes namely the ‘Kotte Ela’ and Eerigeoya in Palagala, Habarana.

The Kotte Ela network flourished during the time of ancient kings and helped irrigate a vast area surrounding the Dewahuwa, Palagala and Kalawewa region. Under the first phase a dam has been built across Havan Oya to carry the spill water of “Dewahuwa” reservoir to “Balaluwewa to feed “Pelbendiyawa” tank, at a point at Kalugalayaya village.

“Under the Kotte Ela second phase, the surplus water at Pelbendiyawa tank - would be diverted through ‘Ranjaniya Wewa’ to Heen Oya. It has been proposed to build another dam across Heen Oya to take water up to Kahalla feeding 16 tanks en-route.

The project will benefit 5,000 families, after its completion,” Irrigation Director Liyanage said.

Under the Eerige Oya Galenbindunuwewa irrigation development scheme in Polonnaruwa district estimated at Rs. 7 million, the abandoned Galenbindunuwewa ancient tank is being reconstructed. Its water will be diverted through an anicut to the Galenbindunuwewa tank to irrigate 200 acres afresh. The scheme is expected to be completed within this year.In the meantime 338 micro tanks and anicuts located in 18 Divisional Secretariat divisions in Anuradhapura district will be rehabilitated shortly under IFAD - funded DZLISPP. Already 16 micro tanks at a cost of Rs. 140 million have been renovated and 25 are being rehabilitated at a cost of Rs. 25 million, the provincial Irrigation Director said.

“So often tanks endowed to the country by thousands of unknown ancient Sri Lanka Engineers who made the dreams of the great kings into reality are found in the thick jungles and being rehabilitated for the benefit of the present mankind. No doubt it should be so”.

-R. L. Brohier