Water problem in North to be resolved

by P. Krishnaswamy

Irrigation Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa will visit Jaffna soon to hold discussions with Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, PC Ministers and senior government officials to work out measures on resolving the water problem of the Northerners. He told the Sunday Observer that while focusing on immediate measures to address their water problem, both for irrigation and drinking, the Government would also ensure the accelerated implementation of the multi-billion dollar Moragahakanda-Kaluganga project that will take water to the Irnamadu tank in Kilinochchi.

The previous regime delayed the implementation of the far-reaching Moragahakanda- Kaluganga project by not providing adequate funding and, consequently, the project was delayed by eight-long years. Had fundings been provided on time, the project would now be in the final stages of completion.

Payments are long overdue to contractors on this projects as well as many other projects, the Minister said. The Government is also focusing on payment of compensation to displaced families and their resettlement, he said.

Mahaveli Development and Environment Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe told the Sunday Observer that an MOU on an Asian Development Bank loan of US $ 625 million has already been for singed canal construction and downstream development work under the project. Project Director Eng. Tennakoon said that the Moragahakanda reservoir work will be completed in February 2017 while the Kaluganga reservoir work will be completed in December 2018.

Work on the 78km-conveyance canal to Anuradhapura and the nine km tunnel connecting the two reservoirs will also completed simultaneously, he said.

The other technical aspects and water availability for conveyance to the Irnamadu tank are under study at present, he said.