Uma Oya boils over with protests

Uma Oya protest

Bandarawela town came to a complete standstill as large crowds gathered in the area and demanded that authorities take action against the water seepage in a tunnel excavation which is part of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project - Pix by Rathnam Kogulan and Nishantha Kumara

By Chathuri Dissanayake  

Thousands of citizens affected by the Uma Oya project yesterday staged a black hartal bringing everyday life to a grinding halt and demanding immediate solutions to the acute water shortage and damage caused to their homes. 

The communities of six pradeshiya sabhas joined the protest demanding an immediate halt to the project until a solution is found for the water seepage in one of the tunnel excavations for the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Project which has caused groundwater sources in the area to run dry and damaged infrastructure including the homes of residents. 

“We don’t have adequate water distribution. We were promised 500 litres of water per family each day. Now we get 500 litres of water only once in about seven or eight days. We demand that we be given adequate water as all our wells have run dry due to the project,” JVP Provincial Councillor Samantha Vidyarathne told Daily FT. 

According to Vidyarathne, adequate compensation for property damage, rent allowance and compensation for cultivation losses has not been paid either. 

Badulla District UNP MP Harin Fernando yesterday admitted to shortcomings in the water supply system in place and compensation schemes. 

Following a day-long demonstration, the protesters were promised a face-to-face meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena. 

Cabinet this week appointed a three-member committee to find solutions to the issues caused by the Uma Oya project. The decision was also made to seek foreign expertise to find technical solutions to seal off the water seepage in the tunnel being currently excavated. Initiated by Fernando, the discussion focused on increasing the compensation given to residents of Bandarawela for damage caused to their housing due to the tunnel excavation for the project.

“The Minister appealed to revise the compensation currently given, highlighting that it is inadequate. Further, he wanted to find solutions for the water shortage in the area,” Minister Kabeer Hashim told Daily FT.

Following discussions, terminating the project, which is over 80% complete, was ruled out. However, a three-member committee comprising Minister of Megapolis Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Irrigation Vijithamuni Soysa and Minister of Fisheries Mahinda Amaraweera was appointed to investigate the current situation of the project and evaluate the compensation granted to affected communities.

“We cannot stop the project as this is nearing completion and as a loan has been obtained to fund the project. So the only way is to find solutions,” Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. The Government currently provides water to the residents in the area as close to 2,000 water springs in the area have dried out due to water seepages in the excavated tunnels. Over 3,000 houses have been damaged, with cracks appearing in the walls, also believed to be due to the water ingress caused during tunnel excavation.

The $ 529 million project launched by the Rajapaksa regime is partly financed through a loan from Iran with the Sri Lankan Government supplying the remaining funds.

A tunnel excavated as part of the design, running under Bandarawela town, has caused many of the problems due to water ingress that the construction team has not been able to seal. This has led to environmental issues and property damage. However, reports commissioned by the current Government in early 2015 revealed that the construction team heeded warnings and advice given by the Central Environment Authority to avoid adverse impact to residents in Bandarawela.