Minister of Postal Services Hon. Jeewan Kumaratunga, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation Mr. Harshan de Silva, Divisional Secretary, His Holiness the Mayor of the city including provincial councilors accompanied the visiting official during the inspection tour.
The forsaken 'Katubedda marshy land' since very long, is approximately 42 acres in its size covering a considerable land area in the region. Periodically inundated through stagnated ground water, this area has been a huge menace for the populace which also contains polluted swamps and bogs.
Unexpectedly the event saw a large gathering of residents around the visiting officials and conveyed more emphasis on the necessity of development to the location and also assured their utmost support in accomplishing the task.
Majority considers wetlands as an unproductive area and hence, uses them for garbage dumping, swage disposal and illegal activities. Recognizing the importance of protecting such lands while enhancing clear water basins, Urban Development Authority under the directives of Secretary Defence initiated wetland development programmes.
Wetland development embedded with water accumulation enhancement and canal cleaning would immensely control the seasonal floods in the region while setting a beautiful environment for the residents. The 'detention basin' which temporarily retains excess water in the long run would eventually flows out at a controlled rate to the downstream water roots and catchment areas while supporting paddy cultivation. The ecological process of wetlands provide diverse benefits and the ignorance of these benefits would have led to the wetland degradation and pollution.
On the completion of the project, sudden floods following to torrential rains would be greatly reduced while eliminating adjacent mosquito breeding grounds. Such development would also comprised of improved recreational facilities such as walkways, play areas and leisure parks allowing families and visitors to spend quality time away from homes.
Within a short period of time similar projects have been successfully completed such as 'Diyatha Uyana' horticulture garden and boardwalk, Nawala Wetland Park, Weras Ganga basin development, and Diyawanna Lake banks.
Having recognized today that the plans are afoot to develop much awaited Katubedda marsh land, residents and landowners highly valued the precious initiative.
