Construction of mini hydro power plant : Project halted posing more problems

Priyanka KURUGALA

Following our page one story of August 5 headlined 'Rock blast threaten rare fish with extinction', construction work of the proposed mini hydro power plant has been suspended even though the villagers are faced with another problem having been deprived of their public playground and community centre to make way for the construction of offices and living quarters for the construction company staff.


Warathenna Wimalabuddhi Temple Chief Incumbent Ven Maldeniye Samitha Thera told the Daily News that they were not only facing an environmental threat with the danger of landslides and the loss of endemic fish but are now forced to give up their playground despite residents' protests.


"This site is the most important area of the Mahaweli Ganga. We have now also lost our playground," the Thera said. "This playground was the place where the villagers held their New Year festival and other meetings in the village," the Thera added. Warathenna Sports Club member A.S.P.K. Jayawardana said by now, the construction company has taken over the Community Hall with the nameboard "stores" already hanging on the building. He said the Harispaththuwa Divisional Secretary has given permission to the construction staff to use the playground for their needs and he has ordered children to play on the main road.
Harispaththuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ananda Jayavilal said that the Harispaththuwa Divisional Secretary had allowed the playground to be used for constructors of the mini hydro power plant before the present Local Council assumed office with the approval of the CEO and SLMA.


"However the Pradeshiya Sabha protested against these activities," he said.
The Harispathtuwa Pradeshiya Sabha will protect the playground for the villagers and stop the construction of the proposed offices of the construction company, he said.


"This area has been identified as a landslide area. If the proposed dam is constructed, the main road will also be damaged," Jayavilal said. Harispattuwa Divisional Secretary A.T.W. Ariyawansa said that the playground belongs to the Local Council.


"But the ground is situated near the river. The children never used this ground to play. The construction company has requested only for the temporary use of this ground. They have promised to repair the ground after the construction," Ariyawansa said.


"It is not true that I ordered children to play on the road," he said.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/08/20/news42.asp