Drinking water problem in Uma Oya almost resolved-AG | Daily News

Drinking water problem in Uma Oya almost resolved-AG

Th drinking water problem of the people who have been victimised as a result of the Uma Oya multi-purpose project has almost been resolved, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court. Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appearing for the Ministry of Mahaweli Development made this remarks pursuant to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice and four residents of the Bandarawela area, who have been victimised as a result of the Uma Oya multi-purpose project was taken up for support. ASG Ranasinghe submitted to Court that no more drilling operations are taking place in the Uma Oya Oya multi-purpose project and thereby the water leakage issue has also sorted.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court three-judge-Bench comprising Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Yasantha Kodagoda ordered the authorities to submit a report, containing the relief measures taken by authorities targeting the people affected by Uma Oya multi-purpose project, on July 20.

Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appearing for the petitioners complained that the authorities have failed to pay adequate compensation to the victimized farmers, though they have prepared an estimate for the crop damages.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appearing on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, an intervenient party to the petition also highlighted the unresolved problems of the people affected by the Uma Oya multi-purpose project.

The petitioners claim that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, but they have lost access to clean drinking water, citing this as a violation of their fundamental rights.

Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment N.Rupasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture, the Central Environment Authority and the Attorney General have been named as respondents in the petition.

Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners. President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appeared for the BASL.

Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appeared for the Attorney General.

 


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