SC directs to expedite compensation to villagers affected by Uma Oya Project

The Supreme Court yesterday (7) directed the Uva Province Director of Agriculture to expedite the payments of compensation before February 28 (2017) to the affected farmers for their crop loss as a result of the Uma Oya Project.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice K.sripavan and Justice Priyantha Jayawardane.

The Supreme Court on October 25 fixed the matter to be mentioned on December 7 to appraise the progress on the water project and the compensation process for the crop loss of affected farmers as a result of Uma Oya Project.

The Court on September 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 Uma Oya Project.

The 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 Mahaweli Authority.

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

The Bench comprised Chief Justice K.sripavan and Justice Priyantha Jayawardane

Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe appearing for the Attorney General had also submitted a Report and told the Court that the compensation would be awarded to the villagers of the Badulla district who are

The 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 Mahaweli Authority

affected by the construction of Uma Oya multi-purpose project which diverts the water to Moneragala and Hambantota districts.

The Court on January 1 directed the Attorney General to inform Court on the steps taken up by the State to solve the hardships of the people due to the Uma Oya multi-purpose project.

The Fundamental Petition was filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of Bandarawela claimed that they were victimised as a result of the Uma Oya multi purpose project.

The petitioners complained that as a result of the Uma Oya project, not only had their homes and crops been destroyed, they had 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.