| This system is the existing Elahera scheme. Proposals envisage extending the present irrigation system to develop 6,200 acres of new lands. At present, 4800 acres of lands are cultivated with paddy. The land slopes are very much the same as for system D. To provide effective drainage for the proposed areas of development, provision is made to improve the existing drainage lines. (in 1968 report) System ‘G’ lies in the administrative districts of Polonnaruwa covers a gross area of approximately 8492 ha bounded on the east and south by the Ambanganga, on the west by elahera-Minneriya Yoda-Ela and on the north by the Radavige Oya. It includes the old Elahera Colony settled in 1947, which has net irrigable area of 2208 ha (5800 ac) with 1160 settler families. The new area to be developed lies between the old colony and the Ambanganga and covers a net irrigable area of 2952 ha to be developed which may be able to accommodate about 2952 settlers during the period 1983-1986. The
plan of development by the MEA consists of two components namely; The system G area covers a total irrigable area of 5160 ha. The gross area of the project amounting to about 9492 ha. At present the irrigation scheme is dependent directly on the main irrigation conveyance channel known as the Elahera-Minneriya Yoda-Ela which takes off from the Elahera Anicut across the Ambanganaga. This area was declared as a Special Area under the MASL Act in July 1979 with a view of improving the irrigation system of the existing scheme and introducing proper water management procedures, so that farmers in this area would not use excessive water depriving the farmers in the settlement schemes in Minneriya, Giritale etc. further north and extending the project area to cover the new area. The
Department of Irrigation the implementing agency of the MASL was
engaged in the design and supervision of construction work in this
project. The area had been developed and consists of seven irrigation
blocks (501-507) 267 families were settled in Block 504 during 1983
and provided irrigated water in 1984. 448 families were settled
in Block 505 and provided irrigation water in 1985. |
Summary Statistics |
