Cabinet nod for Rs. 400 m project to mark boundaries of major irrigation tanks countrywide

Wednesday, 16 September 2026 14:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Boundary demarcation at Kandy, Kantale and Tissa tanks already completed as Irrigation Department moves to protect water sources from encroachment

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the continued implementation of a project to precisely mark the boundaries of major tanks under the control of the Department of Irrigation, using boundary posts installed on the ground, as part of a broader effort to conserve water sources affected by current land use patterns.

The initiative was launched using an allocation of Rs. 100 million provided to the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry for 2025 under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.

Work began in 2025 on 21 selected tanks identified as being under various forms of pressure, with boundary marking and pillar installation fully completed that year for three tanks in Kandy, Kantale and Tissa.

A further 48 tanks have been identified under the project proposal approved by the Department of National Planning, with work on these yet to commence and scheduled for completion in the coming years.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the estimated total cost of the project for the 2025–2028 period covering the surveying of remaining tanks, the setting and installation of boundary stones, and tree planting has been calculated at Rs. 400 million.

“The Cabinet has approved the continued implementation of the project through the Department of Irrigation to complete the remaining work within this timeframe,” he said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lal Kantha.