President’s Secretary directs officials to minimize flooding in Matara

Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, has instructed officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, and Urban Development, Construction, and Housing to take necessary measures to minimize flooding in the Matara district due to heavy rainfall.

The directives were issued during a meeting held yesterday (March 12) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from relevant ministries and institutions. The meeting reviewed the progress of a previous discussion on the Salinity Barrier across the Nilwala River and proposed various short-term and long-term flood control measures. All parties agreed to take the necessary steps, and the progress of these actions was assessed.

Officials reported that the University of Peradeniya and its affiliated Engineering Design Center have been assigned to study and propose long-term solutions, considering issues arising from the construction of the Salinity Barrier.

As short-term measures, steps have already been taken to remove fallen trees and obstructions in the river to facilitate faster drainage during emergencies. Additionally, canal banks are being cleaned, and the temporary salinity barrier constructed with sandbags by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has been removed. By April, further steps will be taken to deepen the Nilwala estuary and canal routes to retain excess water during floods. The Irrigation Department also proposed increasing the capacity of existing water pumps to accelerate drainage.

Dr. Kumanayake instructed that all measures be reported to the Matara District Development Committee. Residents and farmers have raised concerns that the Nilwala Salinity Barrier has worsened flooding and caused saltwater intrusion into paddy fields, damaging crops.

The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, along with senior officials from relevant ministries.