He made these comments at a meeting with the officers of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Irrigation Department and District Secretariat, Kalutara held at its auditorium.

He said though a program to stop saline water getting mixed to Kaluganga was proposed it stopped halfway.

As there is no barrier to stop saline water getting mixed, around 60,000 customers face a water shortage during six months of the year.

A Saline barrier will be constructed 4.5 kilometers away from the mouth of the river and the estimated cost is Rs. 3 billion and will be built on the instructions of the Irrigation Department. The construction will take three years.

The minister also instructed the officials to launch a flood control program as the people of Kalutara are affected by floods every year. The officials suggested constructing of barriers to stop the flow of flood water from Ratnapura District. Minister Senaratna said that he will discuss with the government and get the necessary funds to implement the program.