The Government has proposed the construction of two reservoirs inside the Sinharaja Rainforest to provide clean water to Hambantota.
Speaking in Weeraketiya on Saturday (20), Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapaksa said the reservoirs will be constructed as part of the Gin Nilwala Diversion Project.
The project, proposed under the tenure of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the President, is being launched to move clean water to southern areas.
He explained that the Gin Nilwala Diversion Project was proposed to move water from the Gin and Nilawala rivers to Giruwapattuwa and to provide water to Tangalle, Beliatte, Weeraketiya, Walasmulla, Dambarella and, other areas.
Pointing out that under the proposed project, each reservoir will span across five acres inside the rainforest, he promised that for the five acres lost in Sinharaja a 100-acre forest will be grown at a separate location.
He said the project that was awarded to a Chinese company that prepared the plans, has been stalled over the past five years.
Minister Chamal Rajapaksa pointed out that the payment was already made to the Chinese company and the state had taken the necessary steps to implement that project. (NewsWire)