Kala Wewa renovation begins to stop water leaks

Colombo, June 19 (Daily Mirror) - The long-delayed renovation of the historic Kala Wewa Reservoir to permanently stop water leakages that have continued for more than 42 years officially commenced on June 16, with authorities assuring that the project will not disrupt cultivation or pose any safety risks.

The inauguration ceremony, held amid the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha, was attended by Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe.

The project aims to provide a permanent technical solution to the serious water leakages at the ungated spillway of the reservoir, which supplies irrigation water to around 25,000 hectares of farmland in the Mahaweli H Zone.

Implemented following a direct decision of the government, the project is being carried out under the policy guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, with funding from the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Construction work is being undertaken by Ranic International (Pvt) Ltd. through the Integrated Water Productivity and Water Resources Management Project (IWWRMP), under the supervision of the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL).

The total investment for the structural rehabilitation, the first major renovation of its kind in 42 years, is estimated at more than Rs. 75 million.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Ranasinghe dismissed social media claims that Kala Wewa is at risk of collapsing due to the long-standing leakages, describing such reports as false.

He said the reservoir remains structurally safe and that the repair work is being carried out using advanced engineering methods without dismantling the spillway.

The Minister also assured that the water level in the reservoir would not be lowered during construction, allowing Yala cultivation to continue without interruption.

He added that engineers and technical experts had confirmed that the chemicals used to seal the leakages would not mix with the reservoir water, ensuring there would be no impact on drinking water supplies or agricultural activities.

The Minister urged the farming community not to be misled by unfounded rumours and called on media organisations to report the situation accurately and responsibly.

Meanwhile, Mahaweli Authority Director General H.M.J.K. Herath said efforts would also be made to have Kala Wewa recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Officials from the Ministry of Irrigation, government representatives and members of the public attended the inauguration ceremony.