‘Horakadawela’ paddy field re-cultivates after 30 years

Wednesday, 5 January 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Starting work from the auspicious moment

Preparing paddy fields for paddy cultivation

A tea party from the neighbors

Ven. Moratuwe Nandasiri Thero with members of the Wilahena United Youth Association and farmers

Meda Ela which flows through Horakadawela

Wilahena United Youth Association has resumed re-cultivation (Asweddeema) of the 60 acre Horakadawela paddy field in Gonawala, Biyagama Agrarian Service Division, Gampaha District, which had not been cultivated (Puran Kubura) for about 30 years.

Gonawala-Vilahena Siri Kariyapperuma Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Nandasiri Thero of Moratuwa will be giving admonition and the lead for this project. The Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Services and Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha are assisting in the cultivation of Horakadawela under the National Program for Cultivation of Barren Paddy Fields.

The Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha sponsored the development of a section of the Central Cannel (Meda Ala) that flows through the Horakadawela paddy field. The Department of Agrarian Services provided some assistance for the clearing of the dense forest at Horakadawela.

A Sri Lankan living in Japan donated an excavator. Ven. Moratuwe Nandasiri Thero, Vilahena Eksath Tharuna Kela and farmers prepared the paddy fields with the Excavator spending their personal money. The local and the business community helped in many ways.

Ven. Nandasiri Thero (Podi Thero) of Moratuwa commented: “30 years ago, paddy was cultivated in this paddy field and a great harvest was obtained. But because various reasons, fertile Horakadawela step by step became a barren paddy field.

“As a result, the Horakadawela paddy field became a dense forest. Many people said that this paddy field could not be re-cultivated. But we started to re-cultivate this during the COVID epidemic and it becomes big challenge. We have so far cultivated about 15 acres of paddy amidst various challenges.

A hand tractor is essential for the Horakadawela re-cultivating project. Anyone wishing to donate a used hand tractor or make any financial contribution to the adoption of such a tractor can notify by emailing [email protected] or calling +94 77 247 3350.

All donations should be made publicly to the Chief Incumbent of Siri Kariyapperuma Vihara at the ceremony. If a reputable private company sponsors for this under the CSR project, free publicity for that company will be given for a considerable period of time.