'Kolonna water project to benefit 40,000'
Priyanka KURUGALA
Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardana unveiling
the plaque for the Kolonna Water Supply Project.
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Sri Lanka's economic growth rate of 8.1 percent over the past two
years is very commendable. If the country is able to sustain this rate
of economic development, Sri Lanka will become a development country in
10 years," Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said.
Minister Gunawardana was addressing the foundation laying ceremony
for the Kolonna Water Supply Project. The Kolonna Water Supply Project
which costs Rs 2,600 million is scheduled to be completed in 22 months.
"It will provide water and sanitation facilities for 40,000 people.
The Belgian government is providing aid for this project which will
provide water to Kolonna, Maduwanwala, Eruporuwa, Kella, Walakada,
Pupulaketiya, Hakbeliara, Jandura, Walalgoda, Panamura and Konkatuwa,"
he said.
"The minister said China is making vast strides and is expected to
record an economic growth rate of 10 percent.
"China is on course to achieve its development targets within 10
years,". "The global economic power balance is changing. President
Mahinda Rajapaksa and other Asian leaders believe that this is the
century of Asia, " he said. "As the leader of the country, President
Mahinda Rajapaksa introduced the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision to
develop the country, mainly targeting to provide common amenities to
rural areas.
"The Kolonna Water Supply Project which is situated on a mountain top
will provide water by utilising the force of gravity. It does not need
electricity to distribute water, as electricity is an expensive
commodity. This makes the Kolonna Project a very special one due to this
reason," he said.
"The country has stability now due to the government's pragmatic
policies. The Belgian government has provided economic support for our
country for a long time due to the confidence it has placed in President
Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government," the minister said.
He said the government has put the country on the right track, the
path to progress and development.
Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and
Parliamentarian Sani Rohana also spoke. |