Constructions of multiple canals stalled for three years expedited in Colombo

Constructions of number of canals in urban areas of Colombo, stalled near three years, have been accelerated according to the standard of quality by the Land Development Corporation under the Werassa river rainwater drainage and environment development project. 

The canal from Kattiya junction, Nugegoda to Bolgoda Lake is being constructed and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have advised the Land Development Corporation to accelerate constructions of the canal which was delayed constructions for nearly three years. 

The Werassa river rainwater drainage and environment development project was initiated in 2013 as a concept of President and Ministry of Defense and Urban Development former Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

By constructing the canal from Kattiya junction, Nugegoda to Bolgoda Lake via Delkanda, 8 km of the main canal and branches are built newly and renovated under this project to mitigate the risk of flooding.

Land Development Corporation Chairman Retired Major General M.R.W. De Zoysa said that the risk of flooding by a heavy rain in the areas of Nugegoda, Gamsaba Junction, Delkanda, Raththanapitiya, Pepiliyana and Boralesgamuwa would be mitigated by constructing this canal. 

Though this project has been planned to be completed within one-and-a-half years, it was delayed by the decisions made by the former Government and Retired Major General M.R.W. De Zoysa said this project is subjected to complete within six months by working in maximum efficiency.

“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa personally called me several times on the Werassa river project which is the one of the projects under my institute and he asked to complete this project as soon as possible. After the first time he called me, I discussed it with the relevant officers in relevant institutes and it was proposed to complete this project within one-and-a-half years (18 months). But I advised them to complete it within six months by maintaining the necessary engineering requirements to achieve the main target of draining of spill of rainwater to Bolgoda Lake via Nugegoda, Boralesgamuwa and Pepiliyana areas. 

“Also, I advised them to give attention on environmental enhancement such as laying grass sods and constructing fences. In accordance with that we redesigned the plan of this project as to complete within six months. The main issue of implementing this project is lack of monetary allocations. Because of incorrect financial management of former governments it has been difficult to pay wages and emoluments of workers of this corporation. 

“We are taking action to correct all mistakes and complete this project within six months to solve the flooding problem oppressing people living in vulnerable areas. This project is started at that time by the present President. But it was going very slowly for four-and-an-half years. In field visits, I understood that no attempt has been taken to solve issues of that project. The project has begun while the issues remain as issues. But we were able to make decisions to correct those issues instantly in the site,” Retired Major General M.R.W. De Zoysa added too.