SC orders State to file report on crop damage compensation linked to Uma Oya project

By S. S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the State to file a report on the crop damage compensation not paid to the affected farmers immediately in respect of the Fundamental Rights petition with regard to the Uma Oya Project.

The Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardane, P. Padman Surasena and Yashantha Kodagoda fixed the matter to be mentioned on 20 July.

The Court had already directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to expedite the payments of compensation to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of Uma Oya Project.

The Court had also directed that pipeline water should be supplied before to the villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through the Mahaweli Authority.

The petitioners complain that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, they have lost access to clean drinking water

Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, N. Rupasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture, the Central Environment Authority and the Attorney General are cited as respondents.

Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Rukshan Senadheera and Saranee Gunatilake appeared for the Intervenient-Petitioner BASL.