A District Coordinating Committee meeting to review the damage to irrigation channels in the Nuwara Eliya District and the urgent measures required was held this morning (08) at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
During the meeting with the relevant officials, the President questioned them about various opinions circulating in the country regarding the Kotmale Reservoir due to adverse weather conditions.
Officials explained that the highest volume of water in history entered the Kotmale Reservoir on November 27 and that the spill gates were opened scientifically according to the standard procedure in order to protect the Kotmale Dam.
Officials further stated that 4,700 acres of paddy fields in the Nuwara Eliya District had been damaged and that, apart from 500 acres, the remaining paddy fields could be cultivated during the Maha Season.
Having examined the causes of flooding in the Nuwara Eliya District, officials noted that unauthorised constructions, the blockage of canals and the insufficient expansion of the reservoir’s spillway were contributory factors.
The President instructed officials to assign supervision and technical services related to Gregory Lake to the Irrigation Department and to enter into an agreement with the Municipal Council regarding economic activities. (Newswire)