Moragahakande Project (Agriculture and Power)

The largest water resources development project commenced by the Government in recent times is the Moragahakande Project. The work to be done involves the damming of the Ambanganga at a location about 2 km. upstream of the ancient Elahera anicut.

In order to improve water in the Moragahakande Reservoir apart from constructing a 65m high main dam across the Ambanganga two other saddle dams of height 42m and 21m have to be constructed across low lying areas on the dam axis.

In one of these 3 dams there would be spillway to release excess water during floods, a river outlet to issue water for the Elahera, Minneriya Ela and another outlet for the proposed 20 Mega Watt hydropower station.

This Project has been studied at feasibility level twice by Japanese Consultants and lastly by a German Consultant recently and a concerted effort is being made to implement the project, at present.

The formation of the reservoir will entail the displacement of over 20 families who are presently living in the reservoir bed area. Action is being taken to relocate those who require land for cultivation in new areas on both banks of the adjacent Kaluganga.

For this purpose a new Kaluganga reservoir is planned to be constructed across the river Pallegama. The displaced people who are not farmers will be located elsewhere within the Matale District.

This project is of a similar size as the major reservoir constructed in the 1980’s under the accelerated Mahaweli Programme. Period of completion may depend on efficient completion of activities such as resettlement, environment mitigation and other preliminary works.

The construction of the Moragahakande Reservoir would enable a large number of farmers in the Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa Districts to increase production of the crops presently grown.

This will enhance their income and living and bring greater prosperity to their lives. It is expected that the cropping intensity would improve from the present 1.54 to about 1.8. This would amount to about 18,300ha additionally being brought under cultivation.

Apart from increased agricultural production there would be more water for domestic and industrial work in the Anuradhapura city as well as Trincomalee and other smaller towns in the project area. The demand for water will increase in the future not only due to the natural increase of population but also for new industries that would come up.

Lastly the proposed 20 M.W. hydro-power plant will produce clean energy and is expected to add 45GWh to the national power grid.

The economic viability of the project has been analyzed by many organisations and notwithstanding the high construction costs mainly triggered by high oil prices, the project has been found to be greatly beneficial.

The bulk of the benefits will commence once the reservoir is impounded and farmers take to intensified agriculture with the additional water made available.

Upalee Ganganath Bulumulla,
Chartered Engineer

Questions and answers

Constructions by the Beira lake site

Question: What are the approvals necessary for a building to be constructed on a land bordering the Beira lake. Please give a detailed list.

Sextus Fernando

Answer: The land bordering Beira lake fall within different categories of ‘Development Zones’. Each zone has different development guidelines. Therefore, it is not possible to give details as requested by Sextus Fernando. However Mr. Fernando can discuss the matter with Director (Enforcement), UDA of 7th floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. (Tel. 2872616).

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Charging Turn Over Tax on VAT

Question: We (M/s) International Hardware Stores Limited import steel and pay VAT at the Colombo Harbour and sell the goods charging VAT from the customer, which VAT amount after deducting the VAT paid by us at the Colombo Harbour is paid every month to the Dept. of Inland Revenue.

Hence, we are only collecting the VAT from the Customer on behalf of the Department of Inland Revenue and this VAT amount is not a part of our turnover.

The Western Provincial Council is adding this VAT amount to our turnover and requesting us to pay 1 per cent Turnover Tax on this amount too.

It amounts to paying tax on a tax! Is it correct?

R. F. Joseph

Answer: This is a discrepancy that has arisen due to ambiguity of definition of turnover under Provincial Councils Act. At the time of passing this Act in 1987 neither GST nor VAT was in operation.

Following introduction of GST and VAT necessity has arisen to define turnover for the purpose of calculation of Turnover Tax payable to Provincial Council. We have referred this matter to Cashian Herath, Secretary to Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government for a ruling.

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No parking

Question:

1. Can we erect a ‘No Parking’ sign on the gate and wall restricting parking without our permission?

2. Do we have to get permission from some government authority to display such a restriction? If so which authority?

3. Is the montessori in any way legally responsible to ensure residents are not harassed and inconvenienced by the traffic to their premises?

4. Do we have any legal grounds to proceed on, should motorists choose to ignore our cautioning?

5. What legal steps should we follow if a fellow gets aggressive?

Shalini de Andrado-Harvie

Answer: 1. ‘No Parking’ signs can be erected on public roads only with approval of the Local Authority of that area. Similarly a montessori school can be conducted in premises only with the permission of the Local Authority where it has to be registered.

Police in the area should be informed of any harassment and if parking creates problems to residents police will deploy personnel during closing time of the school.

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Gifted apartment

Question: A relative received as a gift from the family an apartment in Colombo in early 1990. He left for higher studies overseas in 1998 and subsequently obtained citizenship.

(1) Can the proceeds of the sale of this property be transmitted to him overseas? He has no income tax overdues.

(2) Will he be treated as a foreigner in the event of the sale and if so subjects to different taxes?

(3) What are the taxes involved in this particular case.

V. Sathanandan

Answer: The applicant or his attorney (Power of Attorney holder) must be in Sri Lanka as an application has to be made to the Tax Department seeking approval to remit the money.

He/she also must produce the following documents:

(1) Copy of the title deed.

(2) A certificate from the Bank that the money has been lying in the account in his name.

Also he should prove that the funds lying in the account are from proceeds of the sale of property. There is no tax involved.

Further details can be obtained from the Department of Inland Revenue - Tax Payer’s Assistance Centre. (Tel. 2329116).

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Treatment for leucoderma

Question: I like to know whether there is a permanent cure for ‘leucoderma’ - white patches on the skin as my son who is in his forties is suffering. Due to this he is dejected and this has affected his profession and family life. Is there a treatment according to Western medicine? Will it give a permanent cure? Would the side effects of the treatment affect his kidneys, liver or heart?

Mrs. Silva, Etul-Kotte

Answer: Your son’s condition is very likely to be vitiligo. About a third of the cases may recover spontaneously over time. Western medicine has treatment for this condition. If started early and if the patient is young there is a 60-70 per cent chance of recovery. This should apply to your son too.

Treatment has to be carried out by a skin specialist. Treatment entails taking tablets or skin applications and exposing the affected parts to sunlight or ultra-violet light from special lamps.

In some cases where the patches are small and few a simple form of skin grafting is done.

The cures are usually permanent, recurrences being rare. Treatment will not affect kidneys, liver or heart. The patient should have a positive attitude to life and get over his obsession. This can be by religious practices, meditation or anti-depression treatment by a psychiatrist.

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Loudspeaker noise at dawn

Question: People are playing cassettes, in three-wheelers and other places from early morning disturbing the peace in residential areas. What can be done as my sister is heading for nervous breakdown?

Ms SW

Answer: Loudspeakers cannot be used without a permit from the police. This is a matter for the police in your area. You may report this matter to the police.

Normally the police do not give permission for the use of loudspeakers during early hours.

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Guaranteed price for paddy

Question: The electronic and print media complain about difficulties in selling paddy at Government guaranteed price. Why does the Government not intervene to maintain a good price to farmers.

D. M. Muthubanda, Nikeweratiya

Answer: The purchase of paddy by the Government is done through the Sri Lanka Agricultural Products Marketing Authority. The maximum amount the Authority can purchase through each farmer is only 2,500 kgs. Paddy is purchased at the following prices:

Samba at Rs. 17.50

Nadu at Rs. 16.50

The paddy should also conform to the standards given by the Authority. The limitation mentioned on the purchase of paddy is to help the small farmer and not the businessmen.

You may contact the Sri Lanka Agricultural Product Marketing Authority for any further details. (Tel. 2882312/B)

Technical programme

A Technical Programme in Association with Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka will be held on April 20 at 6.30 p.m. at the OPA Auditorium.

Send in your questions

The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) will cover questions in all professions and subjects of common interest to the public in the “Daily News OPA at Your Service” page every Thursday. Questions can be directed to the OPA on e-mail

opaorg@dynanet.lk or opa@sltnet.lk, opa@mymail.lk

Fax: 2559770 or write to the Professional Centre, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.