Pipe-line water supply to villagers affected by Uma Oya Project: SC

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that pipe-line water should be supplied before 31 December to the villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through the Mahaweli Authority.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justice Eva Wanasundera fixed the matter to be mentioned on 14 September.

The Attorney General on 18 February informed the Supreme Court that the State would award compensation to the villagers who were adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project.

Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appearing for the Attorney General had also submitted a Report and told the Court that the compensation would be awarded to the villagers of the Badulla District who are affected by the construction of Uma Oya multi-purpose project which diverts the water to Moneragala and Hambantota Districts.

The Supreme Court on 1 January directed the Attorney General to inform Court on the steps taken up by the State to solve the hardships of the people due to the Uma Oya multi-purpose project.

The Fundamental Rights petition was filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of the Bandarawela area victimised as a result of the Uma Oya multi-purpose project. 

The petitioners complain that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, they have lost access to clean drinking water

Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, N. Rupasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture, the Central Environment Authority and the Attorney General are cited as respondents. Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners.