Water resources should be protected - Minister Basil

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

"It is necessary to carry out all development activities specially in the construction sphere without causing any damage to water resources as we have experienced some bad results due to such damages,' said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa participating as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of second Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project(CWSSP) held yesterday at Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla.

According to the Mahinda Chinthanaya providing fixed abodes for all with electricity, roads and water and other basic needs is a main target of the government. People living in certain remote areas especially in the Dry Zone face a lot of difficulties without water. CWSSP has done a great service for this type of people by fulfilling a basic need of things.

Addressing the occasion Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said that about three million people were benefited from this project and this is the largest community based project in the region. According to the WHO the rural population very often became victims of water borne diseases, leading to low income, indebtedness and aggravation of poverty.

He also said that improved health and sanitation, higher labour productivity, time saving in fetching water, poverty reduction, increase in land value, improved socio-economic conditions, environmental harmony, social cohensiveness, peace and harmony among ethnic groups, human resource development are some of the major benefits of this project. This project covered 13 districts Ratnapura, Badulla, Matara, Colombo, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Kandy, Matale, Nuwaraeliya, Trincomalee and Ampara.

The total cost for constructions is Rs 13,183 million. The project contribution is Rs 6,817 million and the community contribution is Rs 3,671 million.