SL fulfilled most pledges in Colombo Declaration - Dinesh

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Sri Lanka has fulfilled several pledges made in the Colombo Declaration, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

"A separate budget for sanitation has been allocated for 2012 and additionally a national level coordination body under the chairmanship of my ministry has been established to create the platform for all sector partners, government organizations, NGOs and funding agencies to address issues with regard to water and sanitation," he said.

Addressing the inauguration of the Inter Country Working Group (ICWG) Meeting of South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) at Hotel Taj Samudra yesterday, Minister Gunawardena said that acting together we could overcome the challenges faced on open defecation and achieve the Millennium Development Goal of providing universal access to water and sanitation.

"Sri Lanka has targeted to achieve this goal by 2020. We are fortunate to have the will and vision to inspire all engaged in pursuing this cause," the minister said.

Minister Gunawardena said his ministry has given highest recognition to the Colombo Declaration, the content of which was brought to the notice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Cabinet.

"Thereafter, a special announcement was made on the country's sanitation policy which included school sanitation as well. The Economic Development Ministry allocated Rs. 1 billion to build 25,000 toilets," he said.

Joint Secretary Gajendra Thakur from Nepal said that the fifth SACOSAN will be held in Nepal in 2013.

He requested Sri Lanka's support to organize the event. He said that the 2013 event will be a good opportunity for Nepal to improve its water and sanitation facilities.

Water Supply and Drainage Ministry secretary A. Abeygunasekara also spoke. Representatives from Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives were present.