Rs 505.2m for Madhu Church water supply improvement

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Cabinet approval has been granted to improve water supply to Madu Church at a cost of Rs 505.2 million, Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department auditorium yesterday, Minister Rambukwella said Cabinet approval was granted for a project proposed by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

"The project is to be implemented in two stages. Stage one of the project costing Rs 101.4 million to be implemented in 2011 will consist of improvements to existing water intake and pumping station and internal distribution system, provision of additional stand-posts, construction of additional tube wells and establishment of bathing points with multiple showers," he said.

According to Minister Rambukwella, stage two of the project costing Rs. 403.8 million to be implemented from 2012 - 2014 will consist of pumping facilities, 12 km water transmission pipe line, elevated storage tank, additional distribution system and water purification facility. Madu Church is situated in the Mannar district and during the festival season, nearly 450,000 people visit the church.