Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha participated in an inspection of the Deduru Oya Inginimitiya irrigation project, which has been halted midway, causing hardship to about 7000 farmers.

The main canal route that carries water from the Deduru Oya reservoir to Inginimitiya over a distance of 35 km has been completed with concrete construction for approximately 25 km, while the remaining 10 km of the canal route, though excavated, remains obstructed at a level where water cannot flow.

This has been blocked at the Kahandawewa location with a barrier placed to prevent water from flowing downstream. Within the 10 km stretch that has been blocked, approximately 7000 farmers are engaged in paddy cultivation activities on both the left bank and right bank of the system. Due to the lack of water, these approximately 7000 farmers did not cultivate paddy this time and were facing a severe water crisis.

This project was initiated during the previous administration with an investment of approximately Rs. 13 million to bring water to the Inginimitiya reservoir through canal routes. The project was halted midway due to political crises.

In response to a special request from the farming community in the area, Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha engaged in an inspection regarding this matter in the Inginimitiya area. The Minister participated in a discussion with the farmers. After the farmers explained the facts, the Minister decided to conduct an inspection. Minister of Public Administration and Provincial Councils Dr. Chandra Abeyrathne, Puttalam District Member of Parliament Ajith Gihan, along with chairpersons, Members of Parliament, officials, and representatives of regional farmer organizations participated in this occasion.

The Minister promised to start this as soon as possible and provide quick solutions to the problems of the farming community in the area, and this was emphasized to the officials.