PM expedites work on Colombo region canals to control floods

The construction of a number of canals in urban areas of Colombo, which have been stalled for nearly three years, has been accelerated by the Land Development Corporation under the Werassa Drainage and Environmental Development Project. The work had recommenced on instructions given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply, and Housing that the construction and clearing of those canals should be completed to avoid future flooding in the city and its suburbs, ministry sources said.

The Werassa Drainage and Environmental Development Project was launched in 2013 to prevent floods. It was carried out according to a concept of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was then the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

The Nugegoda-Bolgoda canal, which runs from the Kattiya Junction in Nugegoda to the Bolgoda lake is one of the canals currently being renovated under the project—and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have advised the Land Development Corporation to complete the project as soon as possible.

New branches are also being constructed along the canal, which is eight kilometres in length.

 State Minister of Coast Conservation and Low-Lying Lands Development Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva said that flood risks in the Nugegoda, Gamsabha Junction, Delkanda, Rattanapitiya, Pepiliyana, and Boralesgamuwa areas would be mitigated aftter the completion of the project.

Although the project was to be completed within one and a half years, it had been delayed by the previous government, the state minister said, adding that the project was now expected to be completed within six months.

A progress review meeting held at the ministry was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Sirinimal Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Coast Conservation and Low-Lying Lands Development L.L.A. Wijesiri, Chairman of the Land Development Corporation (LDC), Retired Major General M.R.W. de Zoysa, General Manager of LDC Srimathi Senadheera and other senior officers.