Wewa dating back to 1st century BC or Hotel Project?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Farmers in Anuradhapura allege that attempts are being made to lower the spill gate of the Nuwara Wewa in Anuradhapura and reduce the water levels in order to cater to a hotel project in the area.

Farmers who depend on the Nuwara Wewa for their cultivations and survival protested on Monday (31) against the attempts being made to destroy an irrigation tank or wewa that dates back to the 1st Century BC, by King Valagamba.

A local monk following a meeting with the District Secretary over this issue threatened to go on a fast unto death if the wewa is not protected.

Farmers allege a local politician is attempting to protect his hotel from being flooded during the rainy season when the wewa overflows, by simply getting a project to lower the spill gate of the Nuwara Wewa in Anuradhapura and reduce the water levels.

However, the District Secretary noted that he has no power to award such projects and the matter needs to be inquired from the Department of Irrigation.

Venerable Rathgama Samithi Thero told News 1st that Sri Lanka's Lands Minister is behind this attempt and alleged that he was made aware of the fact that the necessary plans for the project have also been drafted.

A leader of a farmer community depending on the Nuwara Wewa told News 1st that if the project is allowed to go ahead, it would pave the way to destroy all other wewas in Sri Lanka, especially in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

He alleged the Minister is being allowed to move the sand that piles up after digging trenches, to his hotel premises for the construction of a swimming pool.

The Nuwara Wewa to date adds an unexplainable beauty to the Anuradhapura town, and it was built by King Walagamba.

The wewa with a capacity of 36,049-acre feet, is used to irrigate 2600 acres of paddy fields in both the Yala and Maha seasons.

About 5000 families use this wewa, while the wewa supplies water to over 30,000 families.

In addition, this wewa also supplies water to the many local and foreign tourists who visit the sacred sites in Anuradhapura.

The Nuwara Wewa adds beauty to the Anuradhapura town and is part of one of the most scenic views from the Mihinthalawa mountain.

S.D. Mediwaka, the Director of Irrigation for Anuradhapura told News 1st that the filling of the Nuwara Wewa has been happening for over a decade with the urbanization of Anuradhapura.

"We have placed markers at the boundaries of the wewa. We have taken all necessary steps to reduce or prevent the wewa from being filled. However, sometimes the wewa is being filled illegally at some locations," he said, adding that protecting the Wewa is a collective task.