Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawake said that the temperature in Colombo is controlled due to low lying areas and that the government has no plan to destroy these low lying lands.
Minister made these observations in Parliament, Tuesday (15)answering a question raised by Ohief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake under standings orders 23(2).
The Weras Ganga basin storm water drainage and environment improvement project has been implemented to mitigate frequent flooding in the Colombo Metropolitan Region, said the Minister and added that widening the canal network, saving the banks of the river and constructing new bridges and culverts will take place under the project. Owners of acquired land will be paid compensation according to government valuation, he said.
Also the around 0 acres of paddy fields that were uncultivated in Pepiliyana for a long period have now been cultivated. Also 37 acres of paddy fields in Pillewa have now been sown using traditional paddy, he added.
He further added that 3in Colombo 30% are low lying lands and the temperature in Colombo is controlled due to these low lying areas.