Demand to remove salt barrier across Nilwala River

The farmers on both sides of the Nilwala River had been demanding to remove the sheet file of the salt barrier and cut a side canal as all the roads from Matara to Akuressa as well as the houses and fields of farmers were flooded due to the salt barrier built across the Nilwala River.

Accordingly, approval has been received to remove 40 feet of the sheet file of the salt barrier and cut an intermediate canal. On the 22nd, a private company has started cutting the side canal and removing the files.

On the 26th, representatives of the farmers’ organisation of Matara district and a large number of residents on both sides of the river came to the Matara Irrigation Office and engaged in a protest to remove 40 feet of sheet file between the pillars of the salt barrier bridge.

Residents on both sides of the Nilwala River say that their houses have been flooded for more than a month due to the salt barrier built across the Nilwala River.

The farmer organisations and local residents are demanding that the distance between the pillars installed in the salt barrier bridge is 37 feet each and the width of two pillars is 37 feet and one and a half feet on both sides of another pillar and 40 feet sheet file is removed on both sides of the pillar to allow the water to drain quickly.

On the 26th, the Southern Province Irrigation Director came to Matara and paid attention to the matters pointed out by the farmers. A group of representatives was told to come on the 27th to discuss with the officials including the Irrigation Department Director.

The group dispersed after the Southern Provincial Irrigation Director expressed confidence that it would be possible to decide on the location of the bypass canal in the discussion on the 27th.

The Chief Inspector of Police, Matara Police Station, Hettiarachi gave the representatives the opportunity to exchange views with the Southern Province Irrigation Director.

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