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Sri Lanka Army

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08th April 2018 20:50:22 Hours

‘Rata Rakina Jathiya’ Gives Lead to Clearing of Polonnaruwa 'Meewathpura' & ‘Chirana’ Tanks

Army troops in the nation building projects under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ district development project on Wednesday (4) began clearing and renovating two-more vital irrigational tanks, called 'Meewathpura' and ‘Chirana’ in the Polonnaruwa district in response to public appeals.

To be in line with the Commander's conceptual view that 1/3 of the Army should all the time be dedicated for nation-building, the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ project of the ‘Rajarata Navodaya’, commanded by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe (Rtd) deployed the Army contingent accordingly to begin clearing and renovation work of the tanks.

The moss-covered 'Meewathpura' and ‘Chirana’ tanks, which relates to the times of ancient kings, continue to remain as major sources of water supply to thousands of acres of irrigational and cultivable land and provide water to a large number of families for sanitary and washing purposes in the areas.

Affected villagers in recent times have however brought the unfortunate condition of those tanks to the notice of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena.

Accordingly, with the concurrence of the Commander of the Army, the troops under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ with the support of other service personnel on Wednesday (4) inaugurated the renovation. A few machinery of the Army too have been used for the same project.

After intended clearing and renovations, it is believed that the capacity of tanks could be further expanded with rainy water, adequate to irrigate 1000 more acres of cultivable lands during drought seasons.

Presidential Secretariat with the intention of uplifting economic standards and livelihoods of the rural-folk by improving the country’s infrastructure facilities, expects these projects to usher in a new era of prosperity and development in the rural sector with the cooperation of the Security Forces.

Different assignments in Polonnaruwa, now in full swing under the overall supervision of the Presidential Secretariat and also in close liaison with respective Village Development Societies, Grama Niladari officials, Samurdi officials, village chieftains and all other stakeholders at village level, are closely evaluated by the Central Environment Authority, officials of the Irrigation Department, Mahaweli Development Authority, Agrarian Services Department and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ project of the ‘Rajarata Navodaya’, Army Engineers, belonging to Corps of Engineer Services (CES) and Field Engineers, Navy and Air Force personnel as at present are enthusiastically carrying out infrastructure development work of schools, religious places, state health agencies, archaeological sites, community halls, sports complexes, tanks, etc in areas under 7 Divisional Secretariats in Polonnaruwa District.

Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe (Rtd), Project Director, ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ and several officers, together with civil authorities in the area were present at the inaugural occasions.

A similar project, under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ district development project of the ‘Rajarata Navodaya’ of the Presidential Secretariat began renovation, one of the most vital irrigational tanks, called the 'Chandana Pokuna' in the general area of Hingurakgoda, Minneriya in Polonnaruwa district on 2 March in the presence of HE the President. 75% of its total renovation has now been completed by this weekend.

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