COLOMBO : The breakwater of the ancient Parakrama Samudraya is being bulldozed for the construction of a walking path.
Video obtained by News 1st showed that 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 eight 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 Samudra.
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 walking path is to be constructed along the interior section of the banks of the Parakarama Samudraya.
News 1st obtained footage of a JCB Backhoe-loader being used to push rocks along the breakwater of the Parakrama Samudraya into the water, to flatten the surface for an even walking path.
The massive 116,000-acre-feet of water that the Parakrama Samudra 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 Samudra were at risk and sandbags were placed in an attempt to protect them.
Against such a backdrop they question the authorities on why the breakwater of the reservoir is being destroyed for the construction of a walking path.
The chairman of the Parakarama Samudra agrarian organization said the project is taking place amidst the strong protests by the farming community.
The Director of Irrigation of the Polonnaruwa Zone L.M.W. Rathnasiri said the Urban Development Authority (UDA) had approved the proposal for the construction of this walking path and the green light was also given by the Department of Irrigation.
However, the farmers in Polonnaruwa point out that the leaders of their communities were silenced as the Department of Irrigation secured the contract to ruin the Parakrama Samudraya.
The District Secretary of Polonnaruwa W.A. Dharmasiri assured that the walking path project will not threaten or ruin the banks of the ancient water system.
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. (News First)
