A fiery warning from the Agriculture Minister signals a political and environmental showdown over Sri Lanka’s ancient tank system.
At a recent ceremony marking the launch of a manual on the role of the Dairy Management Committee under the World Bank-backed Climate-Smart Agriculture Project, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha delivered a strong and emotional message on protecting Sri Lanka’s ancient tank system.
The Minister said decisive and strict action would be taken to restore tanks that have been destroyed for personal gain and political interests. He identified illegal occupation of tank lands as the biggest obstacle, revealing that hotels and private constructions had been built even with the knowledge of officials, often backed by political influence.
Lalkantha rejected proposals to alter tank boundaries to accommodate encroachers, stressing that such moves would not be allowed under his watch. He warned that enforcing the law could expose him to threats, including “white vans”, but insisted he would not remain silent while irreversible damage continues.
Referring to his childhood near the Anuradhapura Kandy Tank, the Minister said he feels he has a “greater right than the Mihintale monk” to protect sacred areas like Mihintale and Atamasthana. He concluded by highlighting the crucial role of Elaga Management Committees in ensuring the survival of the tank system.
