Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera faces criticism over a smart project initiated by the Agriculture Ministry that allocated Rs. 38 million to restore a tank, specifically for water supply to a relatively small 1.5-acre paddy field in the Kurunegala district. The district’s farmers’ organizations have raised concerns about this expenditure, highlighting the dilapidated state of larger tanks that provide water for hundreds of acres of paddy fields in the same region.
Farmers’ representatives have pointed out that no consultations were conducted with relevant officials from the Agriculture Ministry, Regional Development Committees, or local farmers’ organizations regarding the restoration of the tank. Moreover, influential political figures in the area, who are attuned to the needs of the farming community, have echoed these concerns to Minister Amaraweera. They argue that renovating the tank without addressing the broader water supply issues in the region is impractical and a misuse of funds.
In response to the outcry, Minister Amaraweera has instructed project officials to ensure that initiatives funded by foreign sources must benefit the local population and not merely be extravagant endeavors. He emphasized the need for a more consultative approach, involving the input of local farmers, officials, and experts in the field, in order to make informed decisions on future development projects. The Minister also stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility, given that public funds are being utilized, and the obligation to repay funds received from foreign countries.
