Uma Oya Project: SC orders State to file Report on Crop damage compensation

The Supreme Court today ordered the State to file a report on the crop damage compensation not paid to the affected farmers immediately in respect of a Fundamental Rights petition with regard to Uma Oya Project.

The Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardane, P. Padman Surasena and Yashantha Kodagoda fixed the matter to be mentioned on July 20.

The Court had already directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to expedite the payments of compensation to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The Court had also directed that pipe-borne water should be supplied before to the villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through Mahaweli Authority.

The petitioners complained that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, they have also lost access to clean drinking water. (S.S.Selvanayagam)