Fountain runs dry

This fountain erected by the coffee planters which has for ages been used by pilgrims to the Dalada Maligawa to wash their feet and even to quench their thirst is now dry, since the Kandy Municipality had cut off the water supply.

It has now become a ‘dengue hole’. The fountain was rehabilitated by DFFCC Bank, but no upkeep had been undertaken. On several occasions the media had revealed that this fountain had been used by elephants for drinking resulting in the six cherubs round the fountain being destroyed.

The Kandy Municipal authorities did not care to put up a notice to indicate that elephants should not be tethered at this fountain. They took the easy way out by cutting off the water supply. Pilgrims who visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Devales have no water, even to wash their feet before going in, or to quench their thirst nor are there any sanitary facilities. The only one close to these religious institutions at Raja Veediya has been closed due to security reasons.