MINISTER SAGALA CHAIRS MEETING AT KIRIVEHERA

Development plan for Kataragama

Amassive development plan for the Kataragama sacred city was taken up yesterday at the Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Youth Affairs and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake .

Chief Incumbent of the Sri Abhinawarama Temple, Kapugama Sri Saranatissa Thera said the development in Kataragama town had been at a standstill for more than ten years and that the shortage of drinking water should be given priority. The Thera pointed out that the Water Supply and Drainage Board had failed to supply water to the main pilgrims’ rest in Kataragama. He said that the Menikganga flowed through the town, but the people were facing hardship for want of drinking water.

“Garbage removal has worsened and it has created a serious health hazard. The people are exposed to Dengue fever and other contagious diseases and pilgrims face hardship for want of adequate sanitary facilities,” Ven Saranatissa Thera said.

The minister said that the development project should be completed before the next Esala festival and instructed the officials to focus particularly on the issues put forward by the Thera. He said that the supply of drinking water should be given priority. The minister pointed out that garbage removal in the town should be streamlined and the Menikganga as the main water resource in the area should be conserved. He instructed the officials to implement the proposed Detagamuwa Tank Development Project soon.

The Officer-in-charge of the Kataragama Water Supply and Drainage Board told the minister that no development project to improve the water supply had been implemented after 1987. The minister instructed him to prepare an estimate for all urgent requirements.

Secretary to the Ministry of Southern Development Gamini Seneviratne, Additional Secretary Anura Ranasinghe, Chairman of the Southern Development Authority Shirantha Herath, Director General M.M. Maitri Dias, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority Dr. Jagath Munasinghe, Moneragala Government Agent D.A. Pathmakulasuriya and Acting Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Maha Devala Dilruwan Rajapakse attended the meeting.