The inaugural ceremony of 'Wari Mahima Ape Urumaya' Gal Oya irrigation rehabilitation was held at Gal Oya South Bank Naikadu for an irrigation revival.

The inaugural ceremony of 'Wari Mahima Ape Urumaya' Gal Oya irrigation rehabilitation was held today (5th) at Gal Oya South Bank Naikadu for an irrigation revival, under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha.

Joining this occasion, Director General of Irrigation Ajith Gunasekara stated that the Department of Irrigation provides water from reservoirs including Senanayake Samudraya to more than 50,000 acres of paddy fields for rice cultivation. The Director General also mentioned that the Ampara district makes a significant contribution to the country's rice production. He further noted that nearly 1000 million rupees has been allocated for the Ampara district through budget proposals, and a large amount has also been allocated for the Ampara district through the Department of Irrigation's budget.

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha expressed his views on this occasion.

"The funds allocated from this year's budget must be utilized and completed by November. 900 million rupees has been allocated for Digamadulla. 150 million rupees has been allocated for this work we started today. Through this program, an earth embankment has been applied for the protection of the tank bund. Rock pitching must be continuously applied to protect the earth embankment. Otherwise, it will not be possible to protect this earth embankment. As the Director General of the Irrigation Department mentioned, ‘kumbuk’ cultivation should be done along the length of the embankment. This can protect the tank bund for a long time. If we are to protect ‘Kumbuk’ plants, we need the cooperation of farmers and farmer organizations. These plants can be damaged by animals. Therefore, I make a request that farmer organizations join with people's representatives in the area to protect these plants."

"If we do not work quickly, this work cannot be completed by November. After the engineers complete the preparation of the tank bund, we can hand over the tank bund to public ownership by November."

"Building a public service that satisfies the people is also a major challenge for us. We ask public officials to abandon the old system and dedicate themselves to the people, otherwise this country cannot be built. We have started a new culture in our Ministry. Accordingly, when the public brings a problem to us, that person's name and telephone number are referred to the relevant officer. That officer must provide a solution to the problem. The Director General of Irrigation deserves my respect on this occasion as an official who performs this task correctly."

"The example we should show is that politicians and public officials should work for the people. We should connect with the people as much as possible. We are building the public service. It will take some more time for that. We are going through a transitional phase where we are changing politics from a bad place to a good place. There are also various problems in society. It also takes time to change that. There is also racism and religious extremism in society. What should be created in society is brotherhood. This journey should be undertaken by changing politics, public service, society, and the economy. We have only started it. It is a long-term responsibility."

Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Public Security and Community Empowerment Wasantha Piyatissa as well as officials from the Department of Irrigation also participated in this occasion.