Water woes to the fore in Parliament

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Our Lobby Correspondent

United National Party MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera moving the Committee Stage Water Supply and Drainage, Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Environment debate compared the present and past governments.

“The Government headed by late President J.R. Jayewardene had a vision, which is not seen with the current regime but regular complaints are heard. JR removed the rice and chillie sanctions while opening the economy using the majority votes received. Gamini Dissanayake was given the task to finish the Mahaweli project originally planned to complete in 32 years within eight years. President Chanadrika Bandaranaike dissolved the UNP Government. If we were given another two more years, today’s economic issues would not be there,” said MP Perera.

In response Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management W.B. Ekanayake stated that the Government had allocated Rs. 122 billion for irrigation and water management.

Pointing at doubtful agreements, the Government has signed and malpractices, Democratic National Alliance MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said: “Sri Lanka is a country that has rich history on hydro technology. The hill country has produced a bunch of rivers that covers almost all sides of the country. These rivers were the base for the subsequent kingdoms that created history. However, with colonisation most of these hydro systems and tanks were destroyed by the British. Now most tanks dry out even for a slightest drought. Two days of continuous rains make reservoirs overflow, creating devastation.”

According to MP Dissanayaka, in the Cabinet Paper presented on 29 June 2012, the Government has selected 17 tanks and reservoirs to allow landing seaplanes, while another advertisement published on 7 February 2012 has invited bids from suitable operators to conduct boat service in 23 main reservoirs.

“Tell me how these moves will benefit the farmers of Sri Lanka? What are expected financial benefits and the terms and conditions agreed? Kandakaduwa Farm owned by Mahaweli Authority has a land area exceeding 11,675 acres. Using a Cabinet Paper on 17 February 2012 it was transferred to the Sri Lanka Army, which in return distributed the land to private companies. What right does the Army have to transfer Government land to the private sector? Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has recently presented a Cabinet Paper to import new water pipes using Rs. 500 million from the Treasury and Rs. 200 million from the Water Board. Fortunately this was not given Cabinet approval, having identified Rs. 1.8 billion worth pipe stocks in hand,” said MP Dissanayaka.

However, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and the Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva had a different opinion about meeting national development goals through the hydro sector.

“We are opening Kambukkan Oya, Danduru Oya, and Gurugal oya projects next year. But we don’t have qualified employees. Kuwait Fund will help the Kalu Ganga project. The necessary evaluation is now underway. We analyse rainfall for 30 years. We can’t stop these projects due to some drought expected every eight to 10 years. There are many related issues that we need to take into consideration. It includes the social impact and environmental impact,” said Minister de Silva. UNP Member of Parliament Ranjith Maddumabandara said: “The poorest and less educated are in Monaragala District. There are 16,000 acres of paddy fields, which receive little water.”

“Each US$ 1 invested in the water resources returns benefits worth US$ 9, according to the World Health Organization. But there are 66,000 suffering from renal failures and related diseases. When the Government is wasting millions on the ‘Dayata Kirula’ exhibition, many in the north and east are suffering without drinking water. Over 19 per cent of the schools in Sri Lanka lack drinking water facilities and 13 per cent lacks toilets. So how can you make this the ‘Miracle of Asia’?” said UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

UNP MP Harin Fernando joining the debate commended Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva for the development work conducted in the Badulla District. “I am happy that he has provided employment opportunities to many in the respective ministries he served during the past. The ongoing irrigation project in Badulla is commendable. I am glad that he is doing an honest job,” he said.

Summing up the debate, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena said: “We have managed to provide water to over three million with the development of rural water projects. We receive over 100 cubic metres of rain but unfortunately 40 per cent is wasted. So we are making a national policy for rain water. We are also looking at establishing filters in Anuradhapura – Oyamaduwa and Thanthirimale to provide better quality drinking water, which will reduce the renal failures reported.”