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| Friday, 27 August 2004 |
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by Uditha Kumarasinghe The Indian Government has extended its fullest cooperation towards the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government's ambitious 'Dahasak Maha Wev project' (Thousand Tanks) launched with a view to revive Lanka's past irrigation glory through the renovation of all derelict tanks throughout the country. The Indo-Sri Lanka Foundation through the intervention of the Indian High Commission on Wednesday granted a sum of Rs. 525,000 to the Agriculture Ministry for the Dahasak Maha Wev project which has targeted to renovate 1000 tanks by the end of 2004, an Agriculture Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday. The Chairperson of the Indo-Sri Lanka Foundation Ms.Magna Manique handed over this contribution to the Kudurawaliya Paddy and Supplementary Crops Cultivators Association, the Farmer Organisation which was involved in the renovation activities of Tabarubuwa Maha Weva in Kotavehera, Kurunegala. An Indian High Commission delegation who were present on this occasion made a pledge to Agriculture, Lands and Irrigation Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the Indian Government will extend its fullest support to the UPFA Government to make this project a success, he said. Meanwhile, the India-Sri Lanka Foundation also pledged to conduct agriculture training courses and grant financial aid to the Agriculture Ministry to train youth engaged in the local agriculture sector, he said. Under the Dahasak Maha Wev project, around 10,000 ancient tanks throughout the country are being ear marked for rehabilitation during the next four years under the theme of "Reviving a rich irrigation based civilization and creating a prosperous nation." Due to the progress achieved by the project so far the private sector donors, international organisations and public have pledged their financial assistance and commitment to this nation-building exercise of the Government. The Government has also allocated Rs.500 million to renovate these 1,000 selected tanks during this year, he said. The Ministry has already selected tanks to be renovated at district level and prepared estimates for each tank. The Ministry in collaboration with the farmers have set up a Wev Samithiya to successfully conduct the renovation activities. In order to educate the public on this project, the Ministry will shortly open a new website. |
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