Cabinet approves Rs. 3.38 billion project to address flooding in Rathgama

A Rs. 3,380.22 million (Rs. 3.38 Billion) project to develop land and upgrade the drainage system for the Rathgama town has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers to mitigate recurring flooding issues.

The initiative, scheduled for implementation between 2027 and 2029 by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, addresses the lack of a proper drainage system that causes frequent floods around Rathgama, a service town situated between Galle and Hikkaduwa in the Southern Province.

The project approved based on a proposal by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development includes creating a water pool and retention area on roughly 13 acres of an abandoned 24.5-acre paddy field between the Rathgama-Dodanduwa Road and Wijeyaratne Road, alongside bank developments, maintenance access road construction, and drainage improvements on a 1.5-acre plot downstream to channel excess rainwater into the Rathgama Lagoon. (Newswire)