Wellawaya July 2002: Demata Ath Ara is a village almost sans water. More than hundred and fifty farmer families live in this village whose sustenance depends on the yield of crops like ground nut, peas and typical dry zone vegetables. This settlement which has a 30 year old history, spreads over an area of 4 square. The only water source, a small muddy tank called "Dambe Wewa" is so dismal that villagers have to walk more than 5 kilometers to fetch a pot full of water.

The rain dependent farming collapses during prolonged periods of drought, leaving the villagers with the only option of finding some casual work in nearby township. Severe drought experienced last year, made villagers walk as far as eight kilometers up to "Handapanagala Wewa" in search of water.

The plight of the Demata Atha Ara villagers was first brought to light last October, when the Suntel sports club was distributing dry rations in the severe drought affected areas. They realized that the best support they could offer to the area would be to provide them with a permanent source of water. Suntel immediately took steps to construct two wells for the villagers. This project took six months to complete.

The ceremony to inaugurate the tube wells took place last Friday June 14th with a huge celebration by the villagers. A team of executives led by Hugo Cederschiold, Managing Director, Suntel Ltd., went all the way from Colombo to take part in the festivities. They were joined by the Divisional Secretary, Wellawaya, a representative of Canadian World University and Rev Modarawane Sudhamma. Students of Thelulla Kanishta Vidyala, escorted Mr. Hugo Cederschiold, the Chief Guest, in a procession full of dancers and drum beaters. The guests were welcomed with beetle leaves and the children of the area put up a variety of entertainment.

The management and maintenance of the tube wells were handed over to the Pradeshiya Sabha of Wellawaya. Mr. Kapila Jayasekara, Divisional Secretary, Wellawaya said, "It is of paramount importance and heartening indeed that companies like Suntel and other organizations are coming forward to help in the development of the country, not just in areas where they are present. The annual grant of Rs. 1,200,000 for the division is not even sufficient to maintain roads in the area and even though Suntel is not present in this area the company still volunteered to build the wells."

A. D. Martin, 58 a pioneer settler of Demata Ath Ara said, "In the 30 year history of this village, this is the first time that a tube well has been constructed. This will help more than 50 families of the area." Pointing at the happy children who flocked around the tube well he said, " They are happy because water is closer to them now. "

D. K. Alis, a mother of three children was overjoyed when Suntel inaugurated the tube wells. Earlier her children had to go to far away places to bring water in the morning but want to thank Suntel for this act now they could attend school without any problems. "I of great kindness and generosity ", she said emotionally.

A tree planting ceremony was organized to commemorate the opening of the tube wells. This was symbolic because without the availability of water the saplings could not take root. Now the tube wells will water the saplings, helping them transform into life giving trees.