Protest against two development projects in Deraniyagala

Colombo (News 1st): A protest was staged against the multi-purpose water project of the Seethawaka river and the construction of an electricity power plant in the Rucastle area surrounding the Sithawaka river. All the shops in the Deraniyagala town were closed in support of the protest. Environmentalist Jayantha Wijesinghe noted that the project planned to make the Kelani River and extended drain from Hanwella to Crow Island. In addition, he said there is an attempt to build 4 reservoirs upstream of the Kelani River to control the flood waters in Colombo. Wijesinghe stated that this is an attempt to let the dirty politicians and the businessmen grab the properties in Colombo, to hijack the paddy fields in the low lands and to suppress the people of Deraniyagala by completely forgetting the natural methods of controlling flood waters. Venerable Udahen Kande Dhammakusala Thero urged the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands to put a stop to this immediately. The protestors who reached the Deraniyagala Divisional Secretariat, handed her an epistle containing the signatures of the people. Divisional Secretariat I.K.R.F Bandara Manike said they have been informed in various ways regarding the proposal. She noted that the people in the area are in opposition to the construction of an electricity power plant and they are hoping to inform the government.

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