Ancient Ceylon had a lovely network of canals that enhanced transportation and connectivity. Over the past few years some of these waterways became overgrown and breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which has contributed to dengue. The Navy, on the guidelines of their prudent Commander, Vice Admiral Ravi Wijegunartne has initiated a plan to clear these waterways and ensure that the surrounding eco- systems are sustained. I visited phase 1 of this massive project at Muthurajawela, where I found almost 100 sailors and officers dedicating their energy in cleaning up this clogged canal.
The project is overseen by Commodore Muditha Gamage. The two officers on site are Captain Kasiwatta (a specialist Clearance Diving Officer and former Commander of SLNS Jayasagara) and Cdr. Anthony Weerasinghe, who has been involved in such projects from 2009. Capt. Kasiwatta said “We commenced this mission on June 19, initially with 600 sailors using barge mounted excavators.
After the initial stages of clearing the water hyacinth plants in the canal, we now use a crew of 8 officers and 100 sailors who begin work every morning at 7 am and work until 5pm.” Clearing a congested canal is no easy task. Cdr. Weersinghe showed me the equipment used.
Even the large rakes and knives have been made at the naval workshop at Welisara. I was able to observe two small boats slowly going upstream and clearing the dense clusters of water hyacinth. The sailors have encountered many snakes. A naval medic is on standby with all first aid apparatus including anti-venom injections. The sailors were also given medicine weekly to prevent getting rat fever, as the water is polluted and laden with risks including the occasional crocodile.
Some opine that the water hyacinth was “introduced” to Ceylon as a combat tactic during World War 2. The British wanted to fool invading enemy pilots who intended to land in the island.
Hence, water hyacinth was grown on waterways, and the pilot’s aerial view would show him a patch of grass where he can safely land. Only then did he realize it was a canal, when the aircraft began to submerge.
Clearing the banks is not easy. The water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that can grow to 1 meter in height. Its rate of proliferation is extremely rapid and can infest large areas of water. Its growth reduces the water chemistry, and is considered a serious threat to biodiversity.
The plant is a micro habitat for diseases such as malaria and lymphatic filaria. In some foreign countries the water weed is controlled by herbicides, yet they cause other ripple effects to the environment.
The water hyacinths plucked out by the sailors are loaded onto a dump truck and taken to the Welisara camp where they are used as fertilizer. This project of clearing the canals has directly contributed to controlling the spread of dengue.
Perhaps, the Navy can initiate a project where they can offer daily ferry services to the public, as the canal can take you to Negombo from the point of Hamilton Canal at Hendala, giving serene views and saving travel time. The citizens must stop throwing garbage into the canal and help to keep it clean.