Iranamadu: Old plaque back within 24 hours | Sunday Observer

Iranamadu: Old plaque back within 24 hours

16 December, 2018

When someone faces adverse repercussions as a result of his good deeds, traditionally, the Sinhala society would say, ‘the temple where he worshipped has fallen on his head’. The President had to face a similar incident in Iranamadu recently.

Construction work at the Iranaimadu tank that started in 1906 was completed in 1922, thereby enabling to commence irrigation work in the area.

After three decades of providing services to the agricultural community in the area, the tank was renovated by the then Agriculture Minister Dudley Senanayake and handed over to the people, as per the instructions of Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake, in 1951.

A commemorative plaque was also erected at the tank’s premises with the names of the Land Development Minister Bulankulame Dissawa, Prime Ministers, D.S. Senanayake and Dudley Senanayake, which was maintained and preserved until recently.

In 1975, the tank again underwent reconstruction. In 2015, after 40 years, an extensive renovation was undertaken which was speedily accomplished. As part of the restoration, the old plaque installed in 1954, had to be removed from its location, on the instruction of the project director, in February 2017.

The new plaque was unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday, December 7, to mark the completion of the reconstruction work and the tank vested with the public for the benefit of farmers in the area.

The removal of the old plaque did not raise any issues at that time. However, some media published distorted news items that the old plaque was removed and a new one installed to portray the name of President Maithripala Sirisena.

When this issue was brought to the notice of the President by the Tamil Unit of President’s Media, the President promptly contacted the Governor of the Northern Province and ordered the old plaque to be restored at the original location, within 24 hours.

The media is referred to as the watch dog, or guardian of society. If they are honest in the performance of their duties it would benefit the country and the people.

-Ayub

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