Do not make water a weapon-Basil

17 August 2013 05:12 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Friday said that water should never be made a weapon and said that the British colonialists had destroyed the country’s ancient tanks, irrigation systems, reservoirs and other water resources which were the main stay of the country’s economy.

“Their (British colonialists) objective was to break the will of the nation and subjugate it by turning cultivated fertile agricultural land into waste lands,” the minister said at the second international three-day Conference on Community and Water Services at the North Central Provincial council’s auditorium at Anuradhapura on Friday.

He added that once again the country was reaching self-sufficiency, thanks to the Mahinda Chinthana Vision, although in the process of developing the country various problems are confronting the government, especially because of the activities of certain groups. He stressed that Sri Lankan society should not to be racially and religiously divided. The Minister observed that water was strongly linked to the Sri Lankan way of life and culture.

He said that the Anuradhapura civilization gave the highest priority to irrigation technology, according to Minister Rajapaksa who also pointed out that the mark of prosperity of the village in ancient times was the combination of the tank (wewa) and the dagaba.

While industrial development was vital today it was necessary to be fully aware of its harmful side effects - environmental pollution such as effluent and industrial waste seeping into the ground and flowing into water ways – and take preventive measures.

Today all possible steps are being taken to repair and restore tanks, provide farmers with fertiliser, protect waters resources and manage them efficiently, he added.

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Comments - 17

FrancisI Saturday, 17 August 2013 01:58 PM

Then the govt. Should be left alone to do what they want to do. A big joke.

Cobra Sunday, 18 August 2013 06:14 AM

Well, his army heard it loud and clear and refrained from using water cannon at Weliweriya and instead used lead!!!

seeni boller Sunday, 18 August 2013 06:02 AM

Country was reaching self-sufficiency!!! Inwhat? Is it with politicos??
Then why "Industrial development " ?

puswdilla Sunday, 18 August 2013 12:00 AM

Can Rajapakse Bros solvater problem via DM Android App

Nihal B.D Saturday, 17 August 2013 05:24 PM

Mr. BR that is how you look at it yet it is worth fighting for example "Marvil Aru"

crick Saturday, 17 August 2013 04:43 PM

unfortunately, you people are worse than colonialists

Samn De Silva Saturday, 17 August 2013 03:13 PM

Talking a about colonialists for the last 60 years

what you guys have done for the last 60 years bringing disharmony and robbing teh country

Dee Saturday, 17 August 2013 02:32 PM

somebody's getting worried!

mada Saturday, 17 August 2013 02:02 PM

Minister why you were silent all these days?

dalu banda Saturday, 17 August 2013 07:54 AM

So why do we want to have a party with British colonialists spending Billions? Instead we can built rail gates , give drinking water, upgrade few tanks destroyed at Uva Wellessa and so on...

meranchi Saturday, 17 August 2013 01:44 PM

government make this situation worse problem solving is very poor........i

Porky Pig Saturday, 17 August 2013 01:24 PM

What you OL educated minister should know that water is the basic ingredient for any form of life ( the type of life we know of). Providing proper drinking water to the citizens is the fundamental duty of the government.

Mason Saturday, 17 August 2013 01:22 PM

Mr. Minister, don't be harping on what the British did a century ago. Look at the present. You guys are destroying Democracy and the Independence we won from the British.
Which is worse tanks and irrigation or Independence and Democracy.

Godaya Saturday, 17 August 2013 01:05 PM

Why dont you get your bro MR to table your problem with British Colonialsts water problem at the CHOGM & get some compensation.

Regi Saturday, 17 August 2013 08:40 AM

This is what all our Politicians say from the day of independence to cover up their own mistakes, mismanagement, corruptive practice, etc. Our historians too play fiddle for this. Even our traditional exports, tea, rubber & coconut are legacy of our colonists.

farieze rumi Saturday, 17 August 2013 08:36 AM

well said minister. Your comments on religious harmony will certainty prosper MOTHER LANKA. All problems are created by so called BRITISH COLONIALISTS.

Grace Saturday, 17 August 2013 08:22 AM

BUT WHEN PEOPLE ASKED FOR WATER, YOUR GOVT. USED WEAPONS.

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Do not make water a weapon-Basil

Comments - 17

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