Locals who go through numerous difficulties due to the Uma Oya Water Project staged a protest in the Ella Divisional Secretariat. The protesters charge that compensation was not paid to their destroyed houses.

They also charge that they are now facing a severe water crisis. The group of protesters also said that their cultivations have been destroyed due to lack of water.

The protesters later dispersed after the Ella Divisional Secretary agreed to provide 1000 litres of water every three days to each family.

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