The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Minister, in the Irakkamam Divisional Secretariat area, the Thoppikuda major canal—maintained by the Samanthurai Irrigation Office—overflows during heavy rains, submerging thousands of acres of paddy fields in Samanthurai and Nintavur, severely affecting the Ampara District. Further, near the sacred pansala in Deegawapi, the canal has breached and water is flowing; as a result, large extents of paddy fields in Oluvil, Palamunai, Addalaichenai, and Akkaraipattu get submerged. Usually, only temporary measures are taken, and with every rainy season there are heavy losses. Will you appoint a special team of senior Irrigation Department officials to expedite a permanent project as a relief to farmers? That is my first Supplementary Question.