SC ORDERS TO COMPENSATE FARMERS

UMA OYA PROJECT

Supreme Court directed that pipe borne water should be supplied...

The Supreme Court yesterday (14) directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to make necessary measures to pay compensation to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justices Eva Wanasundere and Priyantha Jayawardane made this direction for payment on the application of the affected farmers after assessing their application.

The matter is fixed to be mentioned on October 25.

The Supreme Court on July 4 directed that pipe borne water should be supplied before December 31 to the villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through the Mahaweli Authority.

The Attorney General on February 18, informed the Supreme Court that the State would award compensation to the villagers, who are adversely affected by the Project.

Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appearing for the Attorney General had also submitted a report and told Court that the compensation The Supreme Court on July 4 directed that pipe borne water should be supplied before December 31 to the villagers who are adversely affected by the Uma Oya Project and compensation should be paid to the affected farmers through the Mahaweli Authority. would be awarded to villagers of the Badulla District, who are affected by the construction of Uma Oya Multi-purpose Project, which diverts the water to the Moneragala and Hambantota Districts.

The Supreme Court on January 1 directed the Attorney General to inform Court on the steps taken by the State to solve the hardships of the people due to the project.

The Fundamental Rights petition was filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of the Bandarawela area affected as a result of the project.

The petitioners complain that as a result of the project, not only have their homes and crops been destroyed, they have lost access to clean drinking water. Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, N. Rupasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture, the Central Environment Authority and the Attorney General are cited as respondents.

Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioners.