Dredge tanks and wewas before the rains

A severe drought has set in and much hitherto cultivated lands almost throughout the island have been left fallow as the paddy fields have dried with the earth cracking up. Farmers are waiting for the rains to begin cultivation. The Meteorological Department has indicated that we will not receive rain until September.

Now is the time for the Irrigation Department to get into action and have all the small tanks dredged as far as possible so that when the rains come these tanks will be able hold much more water than before. This could be done with the help of the farmers and the villagers in the area who will readily help.

We have seen how Gammadda has done valuable voluntary work to help poor people living in remote areas with meagre facilities, most importantly lack of drinking water. Likewise, if the Irrigation Department could start dredging the small tanks with little or no water, the villagers certainly would help.

This dredging should be done quickly before the rains come instead of waiting till something unfortunate happens as is the usual case in Sri Lanka. We remember the recent fatal bus accident due to a bridge being left in a dilapidated condition. Still nothing has been done to repair and renovate this bridge. Perhaps the minister and concerned officers are waiting till another accident takes place to do the job.

When the JVP MPs joined Chandrika Banaranaike Kumaratunga to form a government some time ago, they had a plan to dredge small tanks to help farmers to have sufficient water for cultivation. But before they could implement that plan, they had to leave the government. And that was the end of it.

When it rains heavily and continuously for a few days there are some areas which go under water. The same areas get inundated every time it rains heavily. But no action has been taken to prevent flooding in these areas once the floods subside.

This might be the same with the dredging of small tanks. I am certain no action will be taken by the minister or ministers concerned and the officers responsible to get the dredging done. We are used to this lethargy and lack of concern of these people as they are not interested in the welfare of the poor.

HM NISSANKA WARAKAULLE