Another major 'Wewa' in Polonnaruwa, threatened

COLOMBO (News 1st); Another ancient wewa in the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, the Kadawala Wewa has been threatened by illegal earth extraction taking place before the very eyes of villagers.

Locals say this illegal act, taking place under the guise of renovations had posed serious environmental risks.

"They said the wewa is being renovated. What is happening is earth extraction. They pull out the silt and sell it at exorbitant prices," said one local.

For decades this wewa was neglected, compelling farmers to abandon their livelihoods as well.

Farmers made continuous requests from the government to renovate the wewa by removing the silt, and as a result, this earth extraction project was initiated.

Locals say the illegal act is taking place with zero supervision from the Department of Irrigation or the Agrarian Services Department.

However, the local contractor says that the Irrigation Department has approved the project.

'This is a zero-cost project for the government,' he added.

Yet, there is serious concern about these so-called projects, as they pose serious threats to the environment and rich heritage of Sri Lanka.

Attempts being made to construct jogging tracks on the breakwater of the Parakrama Samudra and the bund of the Kanthale Wewa were stopped in their tracks, following a continuous expose' from News 1st & stiff opposition from the Maha Sangha and the locals.