The Hon. Waruna Liyanage

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, at today’s Adjournment, I move the following:

¶ 02 "I propose that, for the long-standing and recurring problem of flooding that affects the Ratnapura District, a systematic new programme be formulated through the Ministry of Irrigation to provide relief to the people affected by floods in the district."

¶ 03 Mr. Speaker, for a long time, the people of Ratnapura District have been under severe pressure due to flood disasters. In about five Divisional Secretary’s Divisions in our District, a considerable number of people go under water at least twice every year. Therefore, this is a major problem for our District. We have discussed this at certain coordinating committees and submitted proposals asking for plans to be prepared. However, we have only talked; no programme has been set out. We believe that the new Government will formulate a programme in this regard. With that in mind, I present this Motion today. The Ministry of Irrigation is one to which a large amount is allocated from the national Budget.

¶ 04 However, I believe that no programme has been presented thus far specifically for our District. There is no issue in that, but in the next Budget, if a programme can be implemented to protect the lives and property of these affected people, that would be a great strength. Economically and agriculturally, our country gets very little benefit from the Kalu Ganga. A large volume of water flows to the sea without any benefit. Therefore, this is our request from the Ministry.

¶ 05 Mr. Speaker, if a certain amount of water from the Walawe Ganga could be diverted into the tributary called Kuda-oya and taken up to the Udawalawe Reservoir and from there even up to Hambantota, we believe it is possible. At present, only water from the Walawe Ganga reaches the Udawalawe Reservoir. If water can also be released to this tributary called Kuda-oya, we can take water across Weligepola, Galpaya, Kolonna and surrounding areas. Then, we believe, we can cultivate the lands that remain fallow. Only a small portion needs to be done for that.

¶ 06 We also discussed, at past coordination meetings, a programme under the "dry dam" concept. This is used in some countries. During rainy seasons, water is retained and released in a controlled way, and the released water can even be used to generate hydroelectric power at a small plant. We discussed this dry dam concept with officials of the Irrigation Ministry. But we could not implement it. Therefore, several tributaries of the Kalu Ganga can now be blocked in a way that does not affect human life. If we wait longer and settlements expand in these fertile areas, we will not be able to do these works again. Therefore, thinking 10 to 15 years ahead, these should be done quickly. I present this Motion at the Adjournment to draw the attention of our Minister of Irrigation to prepare a programme, and I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity. I resume my seat.