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| Tuesday, 19 August 2003 |
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) signed agreements on the Secondary Towns and Rural Community Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project at the auditorium of the Ministry of Finance, Colombo amounting to US $ 60.3 million. Secretary to the Treasury, Charitha Ratwatta and ADB's Country Director, John Cooney signed the agreement in the presence of Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Plantation Infrastructure, W. D. Ailapperuma and Chairman, National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWS & DB), V. Sathyananthan yesterday. This project aims to provide safe water to 969,000 people and sanitation to 171,500 people in Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matara districts. The special features in this project are targeting the poor, support to peace process, ethnic diversity, support to decentralization, policy reforms and sector development. The project component comprises of five urban water schemes, rural water supply and sanitation system in North Central Province and strengthening of water sector institutions. The total cost amounts to US $ 86.4 Million of which ADB shares 70%, GOSL shares 26.6% and the community shares 3.4%. The project will be implemented over a period of five years. The ADB's Country Director, John Cooney said that the project supports the Government's water supply strategy outlined in the policy document Regaining Sri Lanka, and reflects ADB's strategy of ensuring that the assistance it provides is distributed equitably throughout the country. The Secondary Towns Rural Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project will assist Sri Lanka's reconstruction efforts, including improving the access to water and sanitation in areas, such as Batticaloa and Muttur, where no investment in basic infrastructure has taken place in the last 20 years. Secretary to the Ministry of Housing & Plantation Infrastructure, W. D. Ailapperuma said that the Government of Sri Lanka is committed to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of providing access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. Goals have been set to provide to safe drinking water to 85% of the population by year 2010 and to 100% by year 2025 and access to adequate sanitation to 70% of population by year 2010 and to 100% by year 2025. ADB has been supporting the GOSL by funding several sectors for a long time. There is already another ongoing ADB funded rural water supply and sanitation project from which about one million people is benefited. This project is implemented with active participation of the community and a 50% physical progress has been already achieved and hoping to complete by mid year 2005. The achievement of annual disbursement target passed 100% in every year. Most of the pilot projects implemented through the Pradeshiya Sabhas have commenced in the North Central Province. The ADB's support to GOSL in various sectors is a major share of the donor support to this country. I assure that this project will be carried out with due diligence, efficiency and in conformity with sound management, financial, engineering, environmental and public utility practices," the Secretary said. |
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