Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan personally visited and inspected the new tank being constructed on the Puttur–Meesalai road, the desilting works of the Kantharodai tank, and the Uduvil tank today – on Thursday 24 September 2026. During the visit, he held discussions with officials on various measures aimed at conserving water resources and utilising them more extensively to meet future needs.
Construction of the new tank on the Puttur–Mesalai road is being carried out by the Green Layer organisation. The Governor, who observed the ongoing work, now in its fifth day, in person, inquired with the organisation’s representatives about its progress.
The Governor also discussed various possibilities centred on this tank, including future tourism development projects and the creation of grazing land for livestock.
Representatives of the Green Layer organisation stated that work on the new tank would continue until the onset of rains, after which the remaining work is planned to be carried out as a second phase next year. The Governor instructed that the work be carried out with the technical guidance of the Irrigation Department. He also paid attention to the steps required for handing over the tank to the Vali East Pradeshiys Sabha once completed.
Following this, the Governor personally inspected the desilting works of the Kantharodai tank. He observed the progress of the work, which is being carried out expeditiously, and the Northern Province Local Government Commissioner briefed the Governor on the measures being undertaken.
The Provincial Director of the Department of Irrigation pointed out to the Governor that, once the desilting of the Kantharodai tank is completed, it would create the capacity to hold 25 percent more water than its present capacity.
The Hon. Governor subsequently visited and inspected the Uduvil tank in person. The Hon. Chairman of the Vali South Pradeshiya Sabha, T. Pragash, pointed out to the Governor that desilting work could be carried out by handing over this tank which belongs to the Department of Agrarian Development to the Vali South Pradeshiya Sabha in the future.
It was also discussed that, by taking future needs into account and carrying out planned measures regarding these tanks and the new tank construction, opportunities for better conserving and utilising water resources could be further expanded.
The Secretary to the Governor, the Commissioner of the Provincial Department of Local Government Northern Province, the Provincial Director of the Department of Irrigation, the Vali East Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary, the Regional Assistant Commissioner of Local Government for the Jaffna Region, the Jaffna District Irrigation Engineer, the Hon. Chairmen of the Vali East and Vali South Pradeshiya Sabhas, Pradeshiya Sabha Secretaries and Hon. Pradeshiya Sabha members, among others, participated in this field visit of the Governor.
