(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –Sri Lanka Tuesday marked the World Water Day under the theme “Groundwater- Making the Invisible Visible” which highlights the groundwater’s vital role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate change adaptation.
The World Water Day celebrations were held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday(22).
President Rajapaksa online declared open the Kalutara, Agalawatta and Matugama water supply schemes which addres the problem of seawater contamination of drinking water faced by the people of the Kalutara District.
State Minister Sanath Nishantha presented a memorandum to the President on the successful completion of projects by the Department of Community Water to provide safe drinking water to 1,000 villages.
The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa launched an insurance scheme for members of community based organizations implemented by the Department of Community Water and presented prizes and certificates to the winners of the competition held among school children by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.
The Prime Minister said the government’s objective is to provide clean drinking water facilities to all the people of the country by 2025 as stated in President Rajapaksa’s “Vision of Prosperity” policy statement.
The Premier noted that Sri Lanka’s largest seawater desalination project has commenced in the Jaffna Peninsula. Although it is expensive, it is a must to quench the thirst of the people in the North, he said.
President Rajapaksa launched the Digital Technology Program, becoming the first utility company in South Asia to provide customer service through social media.
This year’s Water Day was marked by the presentation of Presidential Awards to eight international organizations that sponsor the implementation of water projects, the presentation of the Presidential Award to the Best Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Best Office of the Officer-in-Charge and Best Community Water Society
State Ministers, Ambassadors, Representatives and Advisors of Local and Foreign Contracting Companies, Secretaries to Ministries and Government Officials were also present on the occasion.
