Water springs dry up due to clay mining

by M. Maharuf, Kurunegala South Group Cor.

Residents in Pannala, Makandura, Nattandiya, Marawila, Wennappuwa and Pallama in Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts complain that they are faced with an acute drinking water problem as the natural water springs have dried up owing to the constant mining of clay by the private contractors.

The people have not been provided with any water scheme or pipe borne water supply.

The only source of obtaining drinking water is through wells. Owing to the constant mining clay from these areas water springs have dried up in over 200 acres.

The people have informed the North Western Provincial Council and the Provincial Secretariats of the area to take steps not to mine clay during drought season in the year as they find it difficult to get pure drinking water.