Program to renovate 2,400 irrigation tanks launched

A program to renovate 2,400 irrigation tanks was inaugurated yesterday with the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, aimed at recreating the country’s ancient irrigation development in order to emerge as a self-sufficient nation.

Accordingly, old irrigation tanks which had not been renovated for a long period of time in the North, East, North Western and North Central Provinces will also be renovated under this program. A total of 123 irrigation tanks in the Polonnaruwa District will be developed in the first phase.  

Renovation work of the Chandana Pokuna tank in Hingurakgoda area was commenced with Presidential patronage yesterday as the first irrigation tank of this program.

This lake has provided water to cultivate thousands of acres of land since the time of ancient kings. The Chandana Pokuna has a gross water capacity of 800 acre-feet and provides benefits to 300 farming families in the area.

The renovation works was carried out with the support of Sri Lanka Army under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ (Awakening of Polonnaruwa) District Development Project.

Addressing the ceremony the President said that the objective of this program was to strengthen the economy of the farmer community as well as to strengthen the national economy by giving a new impetus to the field of agriculture and food production.

The President pointed out that under the previous Government too such projects were implemented, but as a result of not implementing them under proper plans, the programs were not successful. He further said that it was the responsibility of everybody to contribute to the program’s success, thereby ensuring a better living standard for the farming community.

Chandana Pokuna renovation activities were initially estimated to cost around Rs. 16 million, however later it was decided to carry out renovation with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Army with an expenditure of around Rs. 2.5 million. 

Public representatives of the area, including Polonnaruwa District Secretary Ranjith Ariyarathna, ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ Development Project Director, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe and others joined this event.  Meanwhile, handing over a two-storey classroom building to the students of Dimbulagala Medagama Maha Vidyalaya was also held with Presidential patronage. The President was warmly welcomed by the students and he signed the memorial book after opening the commemorative plaque. Later, the President enjoyed a song sung by the students of the school’s music section. A tree was planted at the school premises by the President to mark the ocassion. Pradeshiya Sabha Member Pushpa Kumara Ranasinghe, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Ranjith Ariyarathna, Mahaweli B Zone Residential Project Coordinator Thushara Danthanarayana, Zonal Director of Education M. M. V. M. Sanjeewani, North Central Province Additional Director of Education A.T.K Priyankara, Principal C.R. Pathmini Swarnalatha, teachers, parents, old students and others joined this event.  The President also handed over a three-storey building to the students of Manampitiya Tamil College. This building with fully-equipped classrooms was constructed under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ project. The President signed the souvenir book at the school after vesting the building with the students. He then enjoyed a dance item performed by the school dancing troupe.  Principal K. Wijendran, teachers, students, parents, old students and others were present at this occasion.