Anicut needs repairs

by P.P.G. Sugathadasa - Thihagoda group cor.

The Pethara irrigation anicut at the Kitalagama East 2 Grama Niladhari area in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Thihagoda has been in a state of disrepair for a long time.

The Thihagoda- Welletota via Malimbada main high way has also been built on this broken irrigation anicut.

According to motorists the stretch of the highway on this anicut is very narrow so that motorists find it hardly possible to drive long and heavy vehicles passing through this point.

It was put up more than 70 years ago across the Kiramba Oya which is one of the main tributaries of the Nilwala river. According to farmer organisations this anicut provide water facilities for Pethara,

Mihitigoda,Dalugoda, Kitalagama East 1, 2, and 3 and Thihagoda tracks of paddy.

During the dry seasons paddy cultivators are put to immense difficulties as they could hardly cultivate their paddy lands as the water level in it would be reduced deep they said.

The hairpin-bend off this place has also been a death trap.