Suwahas Diyawara to quench thirst
Mohammed Naalir
New Railway Development and Urban Development and Water Supply Deputy
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said Tuesday that 200 drinking water supply
schemes constructed at a cost of Rs.2.5 billion under the “Suwahas
Diyawara 200” project to mark the completion of second year in office of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be handed over to the beneficiaries
from today to November 18. He said that 384,918 families will benefit
through these projects. They intend to increase this amount to 500,000
shortly.
Addressing the media at Cey-Nor Sea Food Centre Minister Amaraweera
said President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed them to implement development
projects to assist the people instead of holding functions and
ceremonies.
Minister Amaraweera said a special drinking water project will be
implemented at a cost of Rs. 7 billion in Batticaloa district including
in the recently cleared areas on October 20.
People in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Hambantota, Kalutara,
Monaragala, Colombo, Nuwara-Eliya, Ampara, Matara, Kandy, Ratnapura,
Trincomalee, Matale, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Gampaha, Badulla, Galle and
North and East including Batticaloa will benefit through these projects.
During the recent past the Water Supply and Drainage Board has
imposed Rs. 400 million as fines from those who obtained water
illegally. The Board also took legal action against 200 persons in
Colombo district alone, Minister Amaraweera added.
In addition Minister Amaraweera said measures are taken to nab those
who get water illegally and to stop such happenings.
He said the WSDB do not have any intention to increase the water
bills. WSDB intends to cut down expenses by minimising the wastage of
water, corruption and malpractice in the Board.
The Minister said the Board will take stern action against those who
dump garbage and pollute water sources. Projects will be implemented to
protect the water sources with the local and foreign funding. He said as
the Board too have authority to take legal actions against those who
dump garbage into water sources.
New houses should have a rain water cistern.
The Water Supply Ministry has established a Secretariat at the
Ministry premises for those who are willing to erect such cisterns to
obtain the assistance of the Secretariat. |