Kandy Lake conservation a reality soon by Cyril Wimalasurendre
Kandy — Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a meeting that discussed the conservation of the Kandy Lake stressed the need to protect the historical monument preserving its prestigious grandeur.
Minister Dissanayake told the meeting that his ministry was allocating funds to the tune of Rs. 2 million at the first stage from a total allocation of Rs. 8 million for the lake conservation project.
It should be planned for the implementation of a conservation project that will last for longer term rather than one that will require funds and energy very often, he noted.
Attention should be focused on several areas in the implementation of the conservation of the lake the minister said.
The Minister proposed that the conservation project should be implemented under the supervision of a steering committee comprising of representatives of the different authorities which had a responsibility towards the maintenance and conservation of the lake.
However, Minister Dissanayake said that the lake had deteriorated so much due to the lethargic attitude of the respective authorities.
The Minister said that the statement made by an earlier speaker Ven. Arankahawe Chandawimala Thero were factual.
Ven. Chandawimala Thero of Malwatte Maha Vihara told the meeting that he was aware of conferences and discussions and also inspections of the Kandy Lake for the past ten years or more and often the same officials were involved in those activities but they all failed to conserve the historic lake.
The condition of the lake deteriorated day by day. The public funds allocated to the programmes were a colossal wastage, Ven. Chandamimala accused.
The Kandy Lake conservation works cannot the implemented from air-conditioned office rooms the thero said.
The hotels, houses business enterprises and even the high-speeding boats on the lake caused damage to the lake, the Thero complained.
Provincial governor Monty Gopllawa assured he would provide every possible support to make the lake conservation programme a reality.
Kandy Mayor Kesara D. Senanayake and Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyratne pledged to support the conservation project.
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