The Irrigation Department has successfully completed 100% of the work on the temporary bund of the Yodha Ela canal, which was breached on December 2. The temporary bund was constructed using sandbags as an urgent measure to restore water supply.
Accordingly, water was released into the Yodha Ela following a religious chanting ceremony. The event was held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Housing T.B. Sarath.
The breach occurred on November 27, after the spill gates of the Moragahakanda Reservoir were opened, causing damage to the earthen bund of the historic Alahara Amuna, a world heritage irrigation structure. As a result, water supply through the Yodha Ela to the Alahara, Giritale, Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Kantale agricultural schemes had been disrupted.
The ceremony and water release were attended by Polonnaruwa District Member of Parliament Sunil Rathnasiri, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Sujantha Ekanayake, senior Army officers, officials from the Mahaweli Authority, the Divisional Secretary of Alahara, officers of the Irrigation Department, members of the Maha Sangha, and a large number of farmers from the affected areas.
Authorities stated that further permanent restoration work will be planned to ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of the canal system.
