Rambanoya project to be completed by end of year

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Rambanoya Reservoir project in the Eastern Province with history of abandonment after starting the initial work due mainly to wars, is now being completed under the Mahinda Chintana bringing multifarious benefits to the nearly 24,000 families of the Mahaoya Divisional Secretariat area in the Digamadulla district.

A major part of the project is to be completed before the end of this year while the project will be completed before the end of next year, according to authoritative sources.

Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Nimal Siripala de Silva told a consultation meeting with local politicians and government officers that he appreciated the courage of local residents who carried on in spite of constant threats from the LTTE. The project is being completed in terms of the Mahinda Chintana objective of providing irrigational facilities to all arable lands in the country, including in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, to boost agriculture and to bring economic benefits to the people, he said.

The President will not be indifferent to the problems of any section of the population and he will take appropriate measures to address their grievances and shortcomings, Minister De Silva said.

The 3,500 acres of arable land, which will receive irrigation facilities from the project, will be distributed among 2,100 landless peasants of the area and all land deeds will be scrutinised by a special committee, he said.

A sum of Rs. 2,500 million has already been allocated for the project and another Rs. 2,200 million will be allocated prior to the completion of the entire project before the end of next year, he said.

The project will bring economic, health, educational and infrastructure facilities to the local residents while also contributing to the national economy.