Kawudulla Wewa

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  nn235nn

  Kaudulla Wawa Build by King Mahasena. FARMER ORGANIZATIONS A. Introduction 1. The hydraulic civilization of the dry zone of Sri Lanka dates back several centuries. The water supply for crop cultivation is based on a technically sound network of irrigation schemes(major, medium, and minor). The water is not to be controlled by individual farmers, as it is a common resource. Furthermore, unlike in rain-fed farming, irrigation structures need regular maintenance to stay in good condition, requiring both human and monetary resources. The collection of fees from water users and the contribution of labor are essential to maintain the system. Also farmers have to take collective action to use water efficiently and effectively. A number of agencies including the Irrigation Department (ID), the Irrigation Management Division(IMD), and the Department of Agrarian Services (DAS) are making efforts to achieve efficient water management and effective and sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M). However,this has yet to be realized in most schemes. Work by projects and the authorities is not yet sufficient to make this a reality. This annex provides some information on the farmer organizations (FOs) in the project area.Historical Overview The ancient irrigation system was managed under a system of benevolent dictatorship.The king owned all natural resources – land, water, and forest—and gave land to farmers for cultivation. The method of water use and the cultivation calendar were prepared in consultation between the farmer and the king’s representative, later called the vel vidane, who collected fees for water, depending on the area of irrigated land owned. The vel vidane required the farmers to undertake O&M and desilting every yala (dry) season, when water levels in the tank were low.This was called katti kepeema, removing of soil from the tank bed. The volume to be removed by each farmer was determined by the farmer’s area of irrigated rice land. The vel vidane marked the size of the pile for each farmer, was responsible for managing water, and had the authority to take action against those who violated the rules and regulations. In addition to this,the vel vidane distributed the fish catch from the tank each year with the participation of the farmers.In some systems, farmers had two plots of lands, one at the head and the other at the tail. This prevented overuse of water by head-end farmers. This techno social model was very effective, and to some degree all the stakeholders participated in the irrigation management system. However, this system was destroyed by internal and external political struggles. Dry zone agriculture was badly neglected during the British rule.After Independence, the Government focused on restoration of dry zone irrigation schemes. This was mainly to utilize the the rich lands in the dry zone and to settle people from the wet zone in the dry zone. The population in many large and medium irrigation schemes comprises settlers from various part of the country, while the majority of the people under smallscale tanks have been living in their traditional villages for many generations. For your information extracted by a Web page by MDH.

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  Vijaya Fernando (guest)

  why is it always King Mahasena? the only evidence is the mahavanmsa written 300 years afterwards. Would you believe something written by you about some thing that was done by someone 300 years ago???

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