JVP draws govt. attention to country’s fast receding water table

By Saman Indrajith

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (26) requested the government to start preparing a long term plan to increase the groundwater level in the country before it is too late. 

Participating in the third reading debate on budget 2021, MP Dissanayake said that the groundwater level in the country had been decreasing rapidly and there should be a proper and long-term plan to increase it gradually.

“In the past, ground water was accessible six feet below the surface level. But now, even if we dig 12, 24, 36 feet it is very difficult to find potable water. What has happened? We do not have a proper water management system. We know how our kings managed the water resources in ancient times. We are aware of the famous saying by King Parakkramabadu the Great. He said not a drop of water should be allowed to flow to the ocean without being used. That was our water management policy back then. But what has happened now? We want to make rain water to go to the sea during floods. We widen the mouths of estuaries so rainwater will not stay much long on the earth. Floods too occur due to poor management of resources. The earth is the best place to store water. Why can’t we adopt corrective measures?”

Dissanayake said that by using proper management techniques Sri Lanka could increase the groundwater level. “This cannot be done within two to three years. It will take decades. But if we start preparing a proper long term plan, we can do it.”