Call to protect natural water springs

Nihal JAYAWARDENA

It is the duty of all patriotic and law abiding citizens to oppose any person or group causing wilful damage to natural water springs in the country, said Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a press conference held at the Polgolla National Co-operative Development Institute, Tuesday.

The press conference was held to brief the media about the forthcoming International seminar themed “Community and Challenges for Sustainable use of Water Services” to be held at the Gannoruwa Plant Genetic Resources and Research Centre on September 29 and 30.

Minister Gunawardena said delegates from nearly 200 local and international community based organisations would attend the forthcoming seminar which would help exchange knowledge and experiences on the subject of rural water supply and sanitation.

The minister said the concept of community water projects is part of the Mahinda Chinthana programme which included several other people friendly projects such as Maga Neguma, Gama Neguma and Divi Neguma.

There are 3,465 community based water projects in the country of which 22 percent are in the Central Province.

This is one reason why the Central Province has been chosen as the venue for the forthcoming seminar.