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Victims of construction flaws
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A large number of farmer families in Deegithawa, Wariyapola are facing destitution as a result of a lack of water in their reservoir.
Villagers claim a construction flaw was responsible for water not flowing into the Mahawewa.
The treasurer of the Deegithawa Mahawewa Farmers Association Vajira Kumari claimed that though the reservoir was renovated under the Deyata Kirula programme it was of no use.
“This time, tank water to paddy fields was provided for only three hours a day as the Mahawewa was only half full.
A sum of Rs. 1.2 million was allocated for reconstruction work on the tank
“This was not the case earlier,” she said, adding that a construction flaw was the cause of water not flowing into the tank.
Nearly all families in the area are farmers and the 25-acre Deegithawa reservoir formerly provided water to at least 38 acres of paddy land.
A sum of 1.2 million rupees was allocated for reconstruction work on the reservoir.
“This lack of water has had an adverse effect on the villagers. When the contract to renovate the tank was to be made, we asked that it be handed over to the farmer association. But it was not given,” said M.R. Thilakarathne president of the association.
Farmers claim that they have spent over 150,000 rupees in hopes of saving their paddy cultivation. “But, if the rains do not arrive within the next few days we will be finished,” a farmer said
 The crops are dying |
 Farmers have spent Rs. 150,000 in an effort to save their crop |