10 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT TO RENOVATE ARIYALI BARRAGE DOVETAILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION

In response to the request of the Department of Irrigation - Northern Province, Urgent Downstream work at Ariyali Barrage was successfully completed on the 26th of October 2022. According to the Department of Irrigation, Northern Province, this barrage was in a critical condition for its function as a saltwater intrusion bund hence seasonal freshwater exchange has led the barrage foundation soil to erode away towards the seaside causing a severe threat to the collapsing of the bund within a few years of time. Ariyalai barrage dam is considered as a main storm water exchange point in the Jaffna area which collects storm water from 9 km to the Eastern Jaffna. It is a 90m long dam with 42 spill gates, which heavily protect the low land inundation areas towards the Navatkuli, Kaithady, Neervely up to Eastern Puttur during the rainy seasons of Jaffna Peninsula. Barrage dam renovation was estimated to be 9 million rupees by the Irrigation Department of Northern Province yet the 10 Field Engineer Regiment was able to complete it with an expense of 4.6 million rupees.

10 Field Engineer Regiment was nominated to take over this urgent downstream project coordinated with the Northern Province Department of Irrigation. It was successfully completed within an estimated 24 days in an exemplary manner which was initially planned to be completed in 4 months by the Northern Province Department of Irrigation. This task was made possible by the effective utilization of 1x49 soldiers who worked regardless of the weather conditions under the supervision of the Commanding Officer of 10 Field Engineer Regiment Maj MCS Mallawage Lsc SLE.