Mar 23, Colombo: Sri Lankan government has expedited the irrigation projects in the East under the 'Eastern Reawakening' development programme, Government Information Department announced.

Rehabilitation of the Allal irrigation tank in Trincomalee is one of the accelerated projects. The tank provides irrigation facilities to over 7,000 hectares of fertile lands in Mutur, Seruvila and the Echchillampaththu Divisional Secretariats. The project costing 200 million rupees is funded by the World Bank. When completed by 2010 the project will serve about 10,000 families in cultivation.

Also under the ‘Eastern Reawaking’ programme the damaged wooden gates of Mawil Aru will be replaced with new radial gates. The Kallar canal and Verugal Aru Bridge are also to be rehabilitated.

The government expects to restore the livelihood of the people resettled in the area by the development measures.