Anavilundawa Feeder Canal Development Begins Under the "Wari Mahima – Ape Urumaya" Programme in Puttalam District

Rehabilitation work on the Anavilundawa Feeder Canal, which supplies water to the chain of irrigation tanks (Ellanga system) extending from Ilakkattuwa in the Puttalam District, officially commenced on 28 July under the "Wari Mahima – Ape Urumaya" National Tank Rehabilitation Programme implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.

The inauguration was attended by Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath, Ajith Gihan, Member of the Puttalam District Coordinating Committee and Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Coordinating Committee, Jayarathna Jayasekara, Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Dr. Eng. Kithsiri Weligepola, Director General of the Department of Irrigation, along with several political representatives and government officials.

The Ditwah Cyclone caused significant damage to the irrigation tanks within the Ellanga system, including Anavilundawa, Mayiyawa, Pinkattiya, Maradansole, Wellawela, and Suruwila. Rehabilitation of these tanks has already commenced with the support of the Department of Irrigation and the World Bank-funded Integrated Watershed and Water Resources Management Project (IWWRMP).

Under the "Wari Mahima – Ape Urumaya" programme, the rehabilitation of the Anavilundawa Feeder Canal, which supplies water to these interconnected irrigation systems, will further strengthen water management and irrigation efficiency. In addition, the development work is expected to help reduce the potential damage caused by sudden flooding in the area.