Action needed to reduce emissions - Minister

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Developing countries have to reinvent growth without pollution. The world desperately needs action to reduce emissions. Our region is facing a lot of negative impacts caused by climate change. More rain and less rainy days, more floods, more droughts, more tropical cyclones and hurricanes, rising of sea levels and storms are among them, the Director, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, India, Dr Sunita Narain said.

Delivering a special lecture on 'The twin challenge and water management' held at HARTI, Colombo yesterday Dr Narain said that water Supply and Drainage should always come together under one institution because of the close linkage exist between these two subjects. Fortunately here in Sri Lanka both subjects have already been linked and put under the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry. It should never be divided.

Dr Narain said that Sri Lanka has an annual water fall of 1000 mililitres. Sri Lanka had challenges in the water sector even before the climate change emerge.

Increasing water supply and ensuring equal access for water are two of those main challenges. We have to collect every drop of water that falls from the sky and use that water to recharge the ground water which is getting polluted day by day.

Dr Narain pointed out that Colombo city is cleaner than the cities in India. Sri Lanka is full of tanks and other water reservoirs. Therefore, Sri Lanka is blessed with a lot of water. She visited Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Ministry officials and many other were present.