Killing the Wewas to build reservoirs

by Matugama Seneviruwan

The government claims it has set aside just over one million rupees for development work in the irrigation sector. These include the Kiwul Oya reservoir in Welioya, Nakkala reservoir in Kumbakkan Oya, Morana Wewa in Mahiyanganaya, Pahala Malwathu Oya reservoir in Mannar, and Kalugal Oya reservoir in Ampara. The Chinese government has provided financial aid for some of these projects, while the Sri Lankan government expects to obtain financial aid and loans for the other projects.

The irrigation system in Sri Lanka has still not been completely reconstructed. The irrigation system in Rajarata, which suffered at the hands of foreign invaders for over 500 years, needs to be rebuilt exactly as it was. The irrigation system in Ruhuna and other provinces in the country are also in urgent need of repairs.


The Wewa is an indigenous creation. Legend has it that the local Raksha people possessed a book titled ‘Jala Bindu, Jala Pramana, and Jala Beethika’ which consisted of detailed techniques on Wewa construction. Another book titled ‘Jala Nandanaya’, which was in the possession of the late Chief Prelate of the Malwattha Chapter, Ven. Purijjila Saranankara Thera, is said to have gone missing after it was obtained by a British divisional secretary during colonial times. While we do not know much about the contents of these books, it is a fact that village elders still use some of the old techniques that were probably included in them to repair Wewas in their villages.

A Wewa cannot be likened to a lake filled with water. From the day it is constructed, it becomes a part of the local ecosystem. It facilitates an environment where animals on both land and water can live comfortably. It is also an environment where water based plants thrive. It has always helped bring a bountiful harvest to the farmers. After independence, governments made it a priority to rebuild these Wewas and also to establish new agricultural communities. This has been of great service to the country. Nevertheless, it has to be acknowledged that certain massive irrigation projects constructed without either knowing or deliberately ignoring ancient irrigation techniques have ended in failure. Even projects like the Mahaweli Rapid Development Scheme implemented without any knowledge of Wewa construction and the services they render to the environment. This has led to severe water shortages during droughts and wastage during the rainy season as sluice gates are opened to let out excess water which then flows into the sea.

It seems that politicians and officials who have been in charge of this country for the past few decades don’t know anything about the Wewa. The construction of large reservoirs, which serve both to generate electricity and facilitate agriculture, have made the Wewa become neglected in the villages. For example, many village Wewas in the Kala Oya region have been obliterated by the Mahaweli scheme, while many small Wewas that existed downstream from the Padaviya Wewa have been filled in. This results in much damage being sustained during the rainy season, while trees and plants are being destroyed during drought periods. In the end, a Wewa becomes just one physical object, rejected by all other ecosystems.

The sports minister recently made a statement in Parliament that he intended to build a sports city in the Meegaha Pandura, which would require the destruction of six Wewas in the area. This statement clearly illustrates the status afforded to the Wewa in the current political context.

It is sad to note that since the end of the war, authorities have decided to ignore people’s sentiments and gone ahead with irrigation plans that are both outdated and impractical. These include the Moragahakanda, Yan Oya, and Uma Oya projects. If one carries on building reservoirs under the Mahaweli scheme by destroying Wewas, it will cause severe and long term water shortages to animals in the area, as well as the people who will be settled under such schemes. The proposed Yan Oya reservoir is also to be built in a highly sensitive area. If the bund of this reservoir is built in the Pangurugaswewa area downstream from the Wahalkada Wewa, it will result in the destruction of 21 small and medium sized Wewas. It will also result in an agriculturally productive valley being completely flooded.

It is astounding that no one in charge has taken the time to think whether the Mahaweli scheme, plans for which were drawn up over 50 years ago, is actually practical today. There are also reports that the Wewa will also be used as seaplane landing sites for tourism. All these acts will make the Wewa obsolete, and will make it possible for international corporations to spread their tentacles further across our agricultural sector.

http://www.nation.lk/edition/environment/item/2799-killing-the-wewas-to-build-reservoirs.html