Jogging track to be built at Kantale Reservoir?

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Kantale Farmers' Union and the Maha Sangha protested against the move to construct a jogging track on the dam of the Kantale Reservoir yesterday (04). The Kantale Reservoir, which irrigates 27,000 acres of farmland, was built during the Second Ago Dynasty. This reservoir also supplies drinking water to Kantale, Trincomalee and Kinniya areas. A preliminary discussion was held at the Kantale Town Hall to construct a jogging track on the dam of the reservoir on 3rd August. Trincomalee District Parliamentarian Kapila Athukorala, Chairman of the Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha and the Kantale Regional Irrigation Engineer were also present at the occasion. It was also revealed that Rs. 20 million has been allocated for this construction. Three farmers 'organizations belonging to the Kantale Business Farmers' Union rallied yesterday against this move. Indika Paranavithana, Chairman of the Kantale Business Farmers' Union, said that the same proposal had been made earlier and had been defeated in previous cases. " This actually came into effect way before, however the former engineer had objected to this but had stopped it. Now it has started all over again ” he said. The protesting farmers went to meet Kantale Regional Irrigation Engineer R.P. Weerasuriya yesterday . However, as the engineer was not present at the time, the group dispersed after protesting there. The Chief Incumbent of the Agbogama Temple Ven. Kurupita Gnanarama Thero says that the people of Kantale do not need jogging tracks at a time when they are living without food. The Maha Sangha in Kantale and Polonnaruwa previously protested against the construction of a jogging track on the bund of the Parakrama Samudraya tank. Meanwhile, Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Saman Ekanayake said that an awareness program will be held today (5) for farmers' organizations and other parties in the area.