Janashakthi pledges JALA- Shakthi

In a bid to safeguard Sri Lanka’s fresh water sources, Janashakthi Insurance has stepped forward to fund the Ma Oya river catchment conservation project and have chosen Lanka Jalani, The Sri Lanka Water Partnership(SLWP) as a programme advisers to administer a first of its kind water quality assessment project to be conducted by the Colombo University. The study Water quality distribution and its impact on community livelihood development in Upper catchment of the Maha Oya river basin is led by Dr. Ranjana U. K. Piyadasa.

In a recently held inaugural event Janashkthi and Lanka Jalani conducted a series of activities to breathe life into the programme and spread awareness among the communities living in the Ma Oya catchment area in Rahalla, Aranayake.

Speaking at the occasion Shehara De Silva, General Manager Sales and Marketing, Janashakthi said, “when it comes to conserving our natural resources, all of us starting from young children to big corporations and the government should bear responsibility. That is why as a responsible corporate entity we are engaged in the Ma Oya catchment conservation project in this watershed Public private partnership. Providing adequate amounts of drinking water of an acceptable quality is a basic necessity to ensuring the sustainable, long-term supply of drinking water which also has national and international concern.

We are harnessing the expertise of our local university to monitor and track the issue as its impacts will touch the lives of nearly 2 million people. It is an honour to Kusum Athukorala, she represents the face of responsible womankind – nurturing, protective and accountable and is a global brand name in this field often referred to as the world water lady”.

The present research study is planned to evaluate the groundwater distribution and pollution by agriculture practices and river sand mining in upper catchment of the Maha river basin in Kegalle District. Results from this investigation fill an important need in assessing the water quality characteristics of shallow ground water in organic-rich urban plain environments and linking these characteristics to its effect on contaminant occurrence. Findings from this investigation improve the knowledge of the quality of shallow ground water in catchment environments and improve assessments of the risk of contamination of ground water in this critical setting. The work will include documentation of the groundwater resources, hydro-geological conditions of the area and understanding the factors that are important in surface and groundwater management,

In the proposed study all the tube wells and, selected shallow open dug wells scattered in upper catchments will be selected for the surface and groundwater monitoring programme. Wells will be selected considering the landscape pattern and relief to be representative for the area. Sampling of water from the selected dug wells and surface water will be conducted at monthly intervals during the entire period of research which helps to monitor the quality and aquifer hydrology during dry and wet seasons as well.

The programme commenced at the Rahalla West Junior school with a meeting of school children, parents, teachers, environmental authorities, and the general public of the area. Kusum Athukorala, Chair, Sri Lanka water partnership and Dr Ranjana U. K. Piyadasa of University of Colombo were also present at the meeting. Three schools in the Rahalla area received grants to start herb gardens while a number of environmental experts and government officials discussed the problems and solutions with regard to catchment conservation.

Addressing the gathering, Kusum Athukorala said, “water is one of the most precious natural resources that Sri Lanka had in abundance. However, due to negligence and lack of awareness we continue to pollute this resource ironically endangering our own survival in the process. There is a dire need to protect fresh water sources throughout the island, especially the river catchments and spread awareness amongst the general public and sensitize them to the relevant issues. Ma Oya catchment conservation is one such project that we started with this aim in mind. We are grateful to Janasahakthi for their invaluable support”.

The JALASHAKTHI commitment on Ma oya research will help, -Identify the groundwater regime and hydro-geological conditions that influence to the groundwater recharge, storage and withdrawal

-Study surface water and groundwater quality with respect to inorganic and organic materials and microbial contamination using standard parameters for drinking water, for domestic usage and for agricultural usage.

-Study the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil in the surrounding area and conduct a complete chemical analysis of those soils.

-Study the community development through water management experience.

“It’s a big idea but one much needed. We wanted to do something of lasting legacy to help the water issue in a national initiative. We are proud to do our bit we are proud to think we can make a difference to the health and safety of perhaps two million people as an outcome of this” Prakash Schaffter, Managing Director, Janashakthi added.