Sri Lanka, Dec. 9 -- A sluice gate of the Upper Kotmale Reservoir has been opened due to rains in catchment areas, the Department of Irrigation has announced.

Engineers in charge of the reservoir stated that the sluice gate was opened in order to maintain the water level of the reservoir at its normal level.

According to the rainfall forecasts issued for the coming days, the Department of Irrigation states that the water levels of several major reservoirs in the country are currently being further reduced.

L.S. Suriya Bandara, the Director of Water Management at the Department of Irrigation said accordingly, water is now being released to reduce water levels from the Nachchaduwa, Rajanganaya and Deduru Oya reservoirs in the Anuradhapur...