Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, CSR of John Keells Foundation (JKF) and R. P. Upali, Director of Agriculture, Trincomalee commissioned the rehabilitated D8 Tank in the Morawewa Division, Trincomalee Range on 31st August 2017 as part of JKF’s Village Adoption Project in Morawewa. The Morawewa Irrigation Scheme which is essential for the largely agriculture-dependent community was badly neglected during the long-drawn civil conflict resulting in a scarcity of ground …water for paddy cultivation. JKF initiated and funded the D8 Tank Rehabilitation Project in 2015 implemented in collaboration with the Trincomalee District Secretariat and the Irrigation Department.

A ceremony to mark the completion of the rehabilitation work was held at the D8 Irrigation Scheme on 31 August 2017 with the participation of the Director of Agriculture, Trincomalee, the Irrigation Engineer of the Morawewa Division, Resident Project Manager, Trincomalee, officials from the Provincial Department of Irrigation, representatives of JKF and World Vision Lanka and members of farmer organisations and the Morawewa community. The ceremonial plaque was unveiled by Carmeline Jayasuriya and R.P. Upali while a handover document was also signed between JKF, Irrigation Engineer and the Perakum Farmer Organisation of Morawewa.

The rehabilitation of the D8 Tank will not only support the livelihoods of the farmer community but also enhance the ground water table of the entire area, thereby improving water security of a community severely affected by water scarcity. JKF’s Village Adoption Project drives poverty alleviation at the grassroots through an integrated and sustainable development programme including Essential Infrastructure Development, Education and Skills Development, Livelihoods and Market Access, Youth and Gender Empowerment and is aimed at fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged rural communities.