Sampath Bank has marked the commencement of restoration work at Dewagiriya Wewa in Melsiripura, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to preserving Sri Lanka’s rural irrigation heritage through the ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ tank restoration program. The event was attended by Chairman Harsha Amarasekera and is expected to benefit farming families across several surrounding villages by supporting agricultural activities and daily water needs. The restoration, carried out in close coordination with the Parakrama Farmers Association and with technical support from the Department of Agrarian Development District Office in Kurunegala, represents the ninth tank restoration initiated by Sampath Bank in 2025 under the ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ initiative. The project addresses the increasing vulnerability of village-level irrigation systems that are critical to sustaining livelihoods amid unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Dr. Lalith Weragoda, Chief Human Resource Transformation Officer at Sampath Bank, noted that restoring village water sources strengthens water security, reduces crop risk, and supports healthier local ecosystems. He emphasised that tank restoration is an investment in resilience and in preserving a way of life that has sustained the nation for centuries.
Dewagiriya Wewa serves the villages of Diddeniya, Siyambalangamuwa, and Neeramulla, providing water for agricultural and household use. However, silt accumulation and invasive aquatic plants have reduced its storage capacity, increasing farmers’ exposure during dry periods.
