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Uma Oya Project: Rs. 1.5b compensation paid but complaints pour in
The Government has so far paid more than Rs 1.5 billion as compensation to those affected by the construction of the Uma Oya multi-purpose project which has been delayed by about two years, officials said.
Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama told the Sunday Times that though they were paying compensation, they were receiving complaints that the compensation was not sufficient.
Some said evaluation was not done in a proper manner while others said fresh damage was caused after they received compensation, she said.
However, the District Secretary said the evaluation was carried out by the Valuation Department and the authorities were doing their best but the shortage of officials were slowing down the process.
Ms. Paranagama said that of 9,036 houses damaged by the construction work, 8,385 houses and buildings had been evaluated for the payment of compensation.
According to the District Secretary, the authorities had paid more than Rs 1 billion in compensation to 7,219 house owners, while more than Rs 400 million has been paid to the affected farmers. They also paid Rs 42.1 million to residents of 348 houses to move into new rented houses, as their houses were damaged beyond repair.
Meanwhile, Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project Director Sunil de Silva said the project would be completed by August 2020.
He said more than 90 percent of the project had been completed. The tunnel which extended from the Dyabra dam to the power station was still under construction and a stretch of about 1.1km needed to be excavated.
The project was initially due to be completed in June 2018. According to project engineers, the Banadra, Ella, Haliella and Haputale areas were affected by a water shortage since about 600 wells have run dry due to water seepage that occurred during the tunnel construction.
Divisional secretaries said they were providing water to the affected areas such as Kinigama, Attalapitiya, Kabillawela north, Gediyarida, Bandarawela east, Watgamuwa, Thanthiriya, Bindunuwewa, Konthahela, Udaperuwa, Egodagama, Ella, Haliella and Haputale.