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| Thursday, 14 October 2004 |
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Kandy South group correspondent The first stage of the Kandy Lake restoration work would be commenced shortly and the participation of all is necessary. Those who love this Lake will no doubt come forward. This work will include reinforcing the construction work, removal of plants and silt, said the UPFA Kandy District Parliamentarian Dimuthu Bandara Abeykoon. He said, we must harness all resources and get the support of government departments, schools and the residents of the area to restore and preserve the historic Kandy Lake for which a sum of Rs. 65 million has been received. He was addressing residents, government officials and the Kandy Municipal Council officials at a conference to obtain the views to restore and preserve the Kandy Lake which is showing signs of deterioration over the years. He said drains diverted into this Lake must be stopped, Kandy Municipal Council should frame laws to prevent from polluting the Lake through drains. Another step is to close the drains which is feeding the polluted water into the Lake. They must also obtain the co-operation of the residents, hoteliers and the schools such as Mahamaya, Dharmaraja, Hillwood, Gothami, to support this project. "We must start the restoration work soon and educate the people of the need of preserving this Lake which is a beauty spot in the heart of the Kandy City and has strong links with the Sri Dalada Maligawa and its history," he said. Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake said, a large number of people have expressed their concerns over the present state of the Lake. They have been addressing forums and even highlighted them in the media and people were personally invited by him to attend these important discussions but only a handful had turned up. The Mayor said, the Council and the officials will give this project the fullest support to restore the pristine beauty of the Lake. Kandy is a World Heritage City and the Kandy Lake is also a heritage site and what is possible should be done to restore it from its present state," he said. Many people blame the Kandy Municipal Council when there is foreign matter thrown into the Lake or if it is not maintained well but very few people know that the maintaining of the Lake has changed hands to the Irrigation Department and the Municipal Council has done its best to collect the litter thrown around the Lake and kept the area clean," the Mayor said. He said Rs. 65 million is a large sum and he is grateful to the Minister for his efforts to obtain this money. Ven. Harankawa Chanda Wimala Thera said this Lake supplied drinking water Kandy people in the past but they began polluting this Lake by throwing rubbish and even diverted the drains into the Lake when they had alternate sources of supply of drinking water. Deputy Mayor L.B. Aluwihare said many people have made useful contributions during the discussions. "We must also get the support of the Army, Police, Municipal Council and the Schools to maintain this Lake," he said. |
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