The water conservancy project undertaken by CSCEC Sri Lanka began to provide water to the agricultural farmland
On April 27th, alocal villager, Mr. Piyathissa watched the fresh water flow through the newly completed irrigation canal at the entrance of the village, and said happily: “This canal commenced to transfer water for the first time, giving new hope in our life in this valuable new year celebration period” in NabadagahawattaVillage, Dambulla City, Central Province, Sri Lanka.
On the occasion of the New Year in Sri Lanka and before the end of May 1st, the first section of North Central Province Canal Project(NCPCP)undertaken by China State Construction Engineering Corporation(CSCEC) Sri Lanka Branch, from 5+200 km to 6+000 km, was filled with water and commenced to transfer them up to a gigantic irrigation reservoir called “Dewahuwa reservoir”. The water flow, which is one and half meters high, flowsthrough a farmland with green paddy cultivation beside the brand-new open channel nearly about one kilometer long, four and a half meters wide, and more than one and half meters deep, ending the history of difficulties in local agricultural cultivation and irrigation farming in the region.
The distribution of water resources in Sri Lanka is relatively concentrated in the Southwest region, but there is a scarcity in the Northwestern parts, Northern and Eastern Provinces. In order to extend water resources to water stress areas, the central government has planned the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program, and this project is also a major contribution of it. The CSCEC is responsible for completing 17 kilometers, and the scope of the project mainly includes two tunnels, four siphons, open water canal, underground water canal, bridges, culverts, roads and landscaping along the canal line.
Initially, the feeder canals built in this water connection project were designed to transfer the water sourcesfrom Wemedilla reservoir to Nabadagahawattawhile benefitting families insurrounding villages and towns, and ensuring their cultivation even in drought and flood.
There are 6 people in the Mr.Piyathissa’s family, and they have about half an acre of land. “In the past, the irrigation conditions were average, and only about 1,700 kilograms of rice could be harvested in one season. After improving irrigation, it is believed that the yield can reach about 2,100 kilograms, an increase of more than 20%.” he said.
Nabadagahawatta Village has 85 acres of farmable land, and more than 800 families are living from farming.Mr.S.A.M.Harees, Chairman of the local new farmers organization, said that in the context of the outbreak of the economic crisis and the intensification of national food shortages, improving the irrigation to ensure stable and increased grain production is of great significance to enhance the normal life of villagers.
“Currently, there are more than 380 of employees under CSCEC, who are working on the front line of the construction” said by the project manager, Mr. Tao Yanrong. The project department will further strengthen the guarantee of construction elements to ensure the smooth completion of the main structure of the entire 17 kilometer of irrigation water canal before the end of this year.
“As CSCEC’s global work conduct ethics, we will carry forward the spirit of persistence, overcome the adverse effects of the crisis, perform high-quality output, improve local people’s livelihood with professional services, and help people to expand a happy living environment,” said Mr.LiuBingquan, Deputy General Manager of CSCEC Sri Lanka Branch.