We will not give up our lands at any cost: Handapanagala farmer leader assured

Handapanagala village tank has been renovated with enhancing the tank capacity with increasing the height of the dam. The water level will be spread and the upper catchment land will be submerged. Handapanagala tank come under the Uma Oya development program and use the tank as a reservoir for the stock water before send this to the Kirindi Oya.
Uma Oya development program is planned to provide water to Hambantota dream city of Rajapakse's for the Ruhunu Magampura harbour, Mattala international air port and also the Cricket ground of Suriywewa etc.
However, the farmers leaders whom we met Monday at Uva Wellassa Women Organization are highly hopeful as this will provide water further 5000 acres of paddy land. But, the farmers in their organization in Handapanagala, Kirigoris and Somalatha are highly critical on this project.
"We told the engineer, the water level of Handapanagala tank will be higher than the Kirindi Oya and would be provided water to Kirindi Oya and not to the farmers' paddy fields. If this is the case, we are not ready to sacrifice our lands and to displace to provide water for Hambantota city of Rajapakse's. And, we will not allow this to happen and move out from our lands."

"We sweated to develop our lands during the life time. Our cultivation is giving fruits by now. Why should we move out from our lands and displaced for the luxurious life of other people. After all, any of the development project did not provide well being of the affected people, specifically the poor in those communities." added Kirigoris.

Kirigoris and Jayaratne from the same community will work with the fisher people about to displace due to the renovation of Handapanagala tank.
After 20th Media Briefing organized by NAFSO/ PA/ Uva Wellassa Women Organization, the construction activities have been further accelerated and in a next phase of the project implementation.