Army to Dig 395 Cultivation Wells on President’s Directives

Consequential to a Presidential directive, the Sri Lanka Army’s Security Force Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) has been entrusted the task of digging 395 cultivation wells (waga ling) across the Wanni region as an alternative means of supplying water for agrarian and other requirements.

The acute scarcity of water for cultivation and other purposes in the Wanni region was brought to the attention of HE the President Maithripala Sirisena by a large number of representative farming communities   when the President toured Welioya area in July, this year.  

Accordingly, the Army was requested to undertake the task of digging at least 395 cultivation wells across the province, enabling the farming community to obtain water uninterruptedly for cultivation of grains and vegetables throughout the year. 

Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army later on instructed the SFHQ-W to go ahead with the project under the supervision of Major General Boniface Perera, Commander, SFHQ-W with the participation of Army troops serving the region. 

Mr Asvin De Silva, Chairman, National Savings Bank (NSB), one of the principal sponsors for the construction project on Wednesday (18) afternoon met the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva and handed over the first instalment of the cost of the project during a brief meeting at the Commander’s office. 

Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva thanking the NSB for its generosity told the NSB Chairman that the project would be brought to a successful completion as early as possible, to fulfill the aspirations of HE the President and thousands of affected people in the Wanni. 

Before the end of the meeting, the Commander presented a symbolic memento to the visiting NSB Chairman, Mr Asvin De Silva and the NSB Chief Executive Officer, Mr S.D.N. Perera who was also present at the occasion.