WE ARE WASTING WATER IN PRODUCING RICE

While the UN standard is 3450 litres to produce one kilo of rice, the Sri Lanka norm is 6266 litres per kilo of rice

Nalaka Samarasinghe, an irrigation engineer said paddy cultivators in Sri Lanka used six acre feet of water for one acre of paddy during a season. This meant that 6266 litres of water was used to produce one kilo of rice. He pointed out that according to the UN only 3450 litres of water was required to produce a kilogram of rice and any excess use of water warranted a better water management mechanism.

Addressing a public awareness programme organised by Elehera irrigation engineers, he said water would be available to a larger population if an effective water management mechanism was introduced.

“When compared to other countries, Sri Lanka is rich in water resources. Several major rivers with tributaries that originate from the central hills flow through plains enriching the fertility of the soil and feeding a host of tanks and reservoirs. Sinhalese kings have left us a large legacy of tanks, reservoirs and canals that have marveled the entire world. However it

However it is our responsibility to conserve water through a sound water management mechanism

is our responsibility to conserve water through a sound water management mechanism to reduce the quantity of water used to produce one kilo of rice by using 3450 litres of water in keeping with UN standards,” he added.

He also stressed the need to protect the environment and to inculcate in children during their formative years the importance of environmental protection.

Elahera Divisional Secretary H.M.K. Kumarihamy , Residential Manager of the Mahaweli ‘G’ Zone, Hemantha Jayasinghe, Principal of the Bakamuna Mahasen Vidyalaya, Gamini Samarakoon attended the meeting.