COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is planning on constructing more jogging tracks close to several wewa’s in the country.

Director of the Urban Development Authority N. P. K. Ranaweera told News 1st said Rs. 02 billion was allocated for the development of jogging tracks at the Beliatta, Ampitiya, Kamburugamuwa, Kurunegala and Kanthale Wewas.

He said these development projects will not be suspended, despite organized efforts to oppose them.

“If the protests by the environmental organizations, religious leaders and agrarian organizations are reasonable, a positive response will be given by the UDA,” said the Director General.

At the same time, the Urban Development Authority said the construction of the jogging track at the historic Parakrama Samudra will go ahead as per the recommendations of the engineers attached to the Irrigation Department.

The breakwater of the ancient Parakrama Samudraya was being bulldozed for the construction of a Jogging Track.

Bulldozers were being used to shove the rocks of the breakwater into the Parakrama Samudraya to construct a new walking path around the ancient water system.

This 08 feet wide walking path will cover a 1.7 km stretch from the Divisional Secretary Official Residence to the D. S. Senanayake memorial at the Number 01 Sluice Gate of the Parakrama Samudraya.

The proposal for this walking path was moved by the Urban Development Authority and construction will cost a whopping Rs. 34 million.

Farmers in the area point out that the construction will inevitably damage the reservoir.

This jogging track is to be constructed along the interior section of the banks of the Parakarama Samudraya.

The massive 116,000-acre-feet of water that the Parakrama Samudraya holds is protected by the breakwater and area residents point out that during certain seasons with the increase in winds speeds, the breakwater stays firm against almost ocean wave-like currents.

Area residents further added that when heavy floods hit the area in 2013 the banks of the Parakrama Samudraya were at risk and sandbags were placed in an attempt to protect them.

Even the great King Parakramabahu who ruled the country for 33 years from 1153 AD- 1186 AD asked his countrymen to use water sparingly.

History reveals that King Parakramabahu had made an immense contribution towards the agricultural industry in the country and the Parakrama Samudra was his greatest ever contribution to the people of Sri Lanka.

King Parakramabahu’s famous quote on water conservation and utilization “Do not release even a drop of rainwater to the sea without using it ” is still living in the hearts of the people.

This is sound advice to many present-day people who do not know the value of this nature’s gift.

This water system is so large it was called samudhraya or ocean.

In addition to that, strong winds cause swells in the Parakrama Samudraya, so large to the size of ocean waves.

It is this breakwater that has protected the water in the Parakrama Samudraya for centuries, without letting a drop of water go to waste.

The construction of a walking path clearly slaps an insult to the great knowledge that our ancestors possessed in creating such marvels that even stun today’s engineering giants.

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