Massive irrigation projects

Water or the lack of water is a problem in some areas of the country, as you may know very well. This has created many hardships in these parts of the country, especially where agricultural activities are conducted.

It is as a solution to this problem that the Irrigation and Water Management Ministry has launched the Gemipubuduwa programme. This massive irrigation rehabilitation programme would cover 100 selected irrigation schemes in five districts in the island - Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Puttalam.

Eight major tanks, 12 medium scale tanks and 80 minor tanks are to be rehabilitated under this programme.

This project, once completed, would facilitate the irrigation of 45,500 acres in these districts during both seasons. Farmer families numbering over 25,000 are expected to benefit as a result of this programme.

The programme, which would be carried out with aid from the Japanese government, is expected to be completed before 2010.

New water treatment plant

There have been many areas in and around Colombo that have been suffering from water shortages and other water problems for a long time. To ease the problems of residents living north of Colombo, a water treatment plant will be constructed close to the Kelaniya river, at a cost of Rs. 6,500 million.

The Water Resources Board would carry out the project; Rs. 5,200 million of the funds would be provided by the Danish Government as a loan, while the balance would be borne by the Sri Lankan Government.

The completed project is expected to benefit nearly 1.5 million residents of Kelaniya, Kadawatha, Wattala and nearby areas. Another water supply development project, to be carried out at a cost of Rs. 5,200 million, to benefit over one hundred thousand families in the city, is in the offing. The Japanese Government would provide Rs. 4,000 million as a loan for this project.

The Board has already started re-laying tubes in the Greater Colombo area; the project is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

The outdated water supply system in the Colombo Municipal Council area, which has resulted in frequent damages to the system and the wastage of water, has necessitated a new water system.

The water supply system in Colombo is over a 100 years old and in some areas such as Pettah, nearly 130 years old.

Sunken ship discovered at Hambantota

Shipwrecks and discoveries of sunken ships have excited and fuelled the imaginations of humankind for centuries.

So, this piece of news is sure to excite you. The discovery of remnants of an ancient ship was reported right here in Sri Lanka recently. The remnants were excavated (dug) from the sea at Godawaya, Hambantota.

They were found about five kilometres away in the sea, at a depth of over one hundred and ten feet. The pieces of the ancient ship had initially been discovered by two friends who were diving in search of oysters.

They had informed the Galle unit of the Department of Archaeology about the discovery. Thereafter, an investigation conducted by divers of the Department of Archaeology had yielded in various artifacts including items of pottery.

The Department is conducting further excavations in the area in the hope of finding more precious items.

Excavation work at Ramba Vihara

We have already informed you about the excavation work going on at the historic Ramba Vihara at Pallerota, Ambalantota. The excavation work being carried out by the Department of Archaeology with funding from the Central Cultural Fund is still under way.

One of the most important discoveries made from the site had been the Tam-lipiya (pillar inscription) carrying a lot of ancient information.

This had been the first time that such a Tam-lipiya was unearthed from the southern region of Sri Lanka. Among the other valuable artifacts removed from the site had been ruins of an uposatha-gara, bodhi-gara, stupa, iron mammoties and chains that date back to the early 10th century.

Computer lab at DSS

Minister Premajayantha is seen here after inaugurating the lab. Principal of the College Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage and Primary Sectional Head Nishanthi Amarasuriya are also in the picture. On right, some of the students are seen at the computers.

The computer laboratory of the Primary Section of D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo was ceremonially opened recently by Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha.

The computer lab is an initiative of the parents of the 2008 Primary Section students; they raised funds for the project through a musical show named ‘D.S. Swarna Sara’.

Pix: Ruzaik Farook.