Rs. 10 m for Deraniyagala drinking water project

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has allocated Rs.10 million for a drinking water project which was a long felt need of people of Deraniyagala.

This followed inspection of the areas devasted by the recent natural disaster in the area.More than 2,500 families will benefit by the drinking water project.

Minister Samarasinghe instructed the District Secretary of Kegalle to utilise water resources from Deraniyagala for the project. Divisional Irrigation Engineer and Chairman of the Deraniyagala PS have been appointed to supervise the project.

According to Ministry sources Rs. 2.5 million was initially released to construct the dam across the main water flow. The construction of the cross- dam will commenced today.

The grievances of the families affected by a recent landslide in the Basnagala Wasama, Deraniyagala also engaged the Minister’s attention who instructed the Kegalle Disaster Management Centre to release Rs. 200,000 to settle 18 families in the lands belongs to the Kotagala estate.

Discussions on precautionary measures to be taken in at the event of natural disasters in most vulnerable areas such as Deraniyagala, Dehiowita was held with the officials.

A decision was also taken to release all implements including boats, camp equipment, water tanks and kitchen utensils required for an emergency flood situation.

Consumer Affairs Minister H.R. Mithrapala , District Secretary of the Kegalle Prema Disanayake , Deraniyagala PS Chairman Champika Wijesinghe and Divisional Secretary of the Deraniyagala Saman Aruna also participated.