The programme to demarcate boundaries of historic tank reserves under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative in Hambantota district was officially launched on 29th August at the historic Tissamaharama Tissa Wewa. Following the launch, the second day of the programme was held on 30th August at Ridiyagama Wewa.

The programme held near Ridiyagama Wewa was inaugurated under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation. The event was attended by Hon. Nihal Galappaththi, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Hambantota District Coordinating Committee, Hon. Atula Welgoda, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Tissamaharama and Lunugamwehera Regional Coordinating Committee, directors from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, including Mr. Dasun Wijesekera (Coordination) and Engineer Anjula Premaratne (Environmental), H.L. Jayasiri, Chairman of the Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha, members of the Ambalantota Pradeshiya Sabha, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, Ms. Chinthaa P.W. Wanniarachchi, Regional Secretary of Ambalantota, Engineer H.R.W.J. Premathunga, Director of Irrigation at Hambantota, Engineer R.N.T. Mala Samarakodi, Regional Surveyor, officials from the Survey Department, local farmers and villagers, among others.

The primary objective of this programme was to protect the historic irrigation systems from severe threats caused by unauthorized land grabbing, agricultural chemical usage, and waste disposal. Apart from demarcating boundaries, efforts will also be made to plant suitable tree species as a biological fence along these borders.

With a provision of 100 million rupees allocated to this program Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, this ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project aims to clearly demarcate the boundaries of 23 tanks islandwide during this year. Through this, the government anticipates preserving Sri Lanka’s leading irrigation heritage for future generations.

 A budget allocation of 100 million rupees has been designated for this project, which is being executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative and this project aims to clearly demarcate the boundaries of 23 tanks islandwide during this year. Through this, the government anticipates preserving Sri Lanka’s leading irrigation heritage for future generations.