Gangeyaya scheme will quench peoples thirst

Mohammed NAALIR

Thousands of families in Embilipitiya areas who underwent hardships due to lack of pure drinking water will be able to get fresh drinking water at their doorsteps on the completion of the Gangayaya drinking water supply scheme, an Urban Development and sacred Area Development Minister Source said.

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gumawardane along with Irrigation Minister Jayathissa Ranaweera inaugurated the construction work on the proposed Gangeyaya drinking water supply scheme to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 57.3 million at a ceremony in Embilipitiya.

The construction work on the project will be carried out by the Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry under the water supply and sanitation project.

Out of 79 rural water supply schemes initiated in Ratnapura, Ehaliyagoda, Kolonna, Weligampola, Nivithigala, Elapatha, Embilipitiya, Pelmadulla, Opanayake, Godakawela, Balangoda and Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Ratnapura District 52 projects have been completed so far with the direct involvement of the beneficiary families and the Community Centres the source added.

They expressed confidence that the rest of the projects too will be completed before the end of 2010 and a sustainable solution could be found to the prevailing drinking water problems in the region.

After initiating the project Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said all possible efforts have been mooted by the Government to cater to the drinking water need of the masses irrespective of urban and rural differences.

The public participation is the only productive means to achieve a sustainable rural development and to avoid finance outflow. 3,400 Community Organisations (Praja Sangvidanas) are the evidence of the victory of public participatory development projects.

Minister Expressed confidence that by the end of this year nearly 350,000 families in various parts of the country will get pipe borne water facilities.

Irrigation Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera said through "Maga Neguma, "Gama Neguma" and community water supply projects initiated under the Mahinda Chinthana the rural areas are also equipped with modern facilities.