News
Protective fence alongside Viana Ela already constructed: Mahaweli Authority
After several accidents in which vehicles toppled into the Viana Ela in the Mahiyangana district, President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the Mahaweli Authority to construct a protective fence alongside the stream, officials said.
The Mahaweli Authority said they had already constructed a 5-km stretch of fence in 2017
Director General of the Mahaweli Authority Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana said, of the 13km stretch, 8km come under the purview of the Authority and 5km fell under the Road Development Authority (RDA).
He added that in 2017 the Mahaweli Authority had fenced a 5km stretch of the road and stated the remaining 3km would be completed shortly.
It is understood that at least 7 persons had died over the past few years, when their vehicles toppled into the Ela which runs alongside the road.
Last Thursday yet another vehicle – a jeep – toppled into the Ela and the driver of the vehicle was reported missing.
After the wreckage was recovered, three teams of police personnel were deployed to search for the missing driver/owner. On Saturday while police were checking CCTV camera footage, the owner – a tution master from Hingurakgoda identified as Withanage Prabath Wasantha, 34 had turned up.
Police are expeced to record his statement.