FARMERS vs THE GOVERNMENT in SRI LANKA
A group of farmers from Walawa Valley came to Samanala Wewa reservoir on 5 August and staged a protest demanding that the water held in Samanala reservoir be released to Udawalawa reservoir. The protesters said that more than 75,000 hectares of hilly and muddy land has been cultivated from the Udawalawe reservoir and that the cultivated land is being destroyed due to the non-release of water as expected. They pointed out that although there are alternatives like coal and diesel for electricity, there is no alternative for farming except water.
The Satyagraha, launched by Walawa Farming Movement, demanding waterfor farming from Samanala Wewa reservoir, as a solution to the decreasing water capacity in the Udawalawe reservoir, was in 27 July in the Embilipitiya Town.
According to the Ministry of agricultural, If water is not released, total damage to paddy cultivation could as high as 18 billion rupees (US$ 56 Million) and impact supplementary crops, for total of 30 billion rupees (US$ 93 Million). This could lead to food shortages. Meanwhile, sources in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) warn of power cuts If water is released.
The protesters tried to check the water capacity of Samanala Wewa reservoir and the police refused to allow them to go near the dam, causing a heated situation. The police used batons to bring the situation under control.
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