Villagers affected by Uma Oya Project: AG says granting of relief to continue

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal that the steps will be taken again to grant relief to the people affected by the Uma Oya Project.

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed for 7 February the fundamental rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of the Bandarawela area suffering as a result of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Project. 

The bench comprised Justice Sisira J. De Abrew, Anil Gooneratne and Nalin Perera. The Attorney General in February apprised the Supreme Court of the progress of the water projects, compensation and general relief to the farmers and villagers affected by the Uma Oya Project.

The Supreme Court on 7 December last year directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to expedite the payment of compensation before 28 February to affected farmers for their crop losses as a result of the Uma Oya Project. The Court on 14 September directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to take necessary measures to pay compensation to affected farmers for their loss of crops as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The Court on 4 July directed that pipeline water should be supplied before 31 December to 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 complained that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed but they have also lost access to clean drinking water.

The 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 Secretary Amal Randeniya.