Anura Kumara Dissanayake Orders Immediate Action to Resolve Drinking Water Shortage Across Sri Lanka
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to quickly identify and immediately begin the projects needed to solve the country’s drinking water shortage, which is considered one of the main problems faced by the public.
The President instructed officials to prepare plans based on the current needs of the people and pointed out that the inability to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water has led to various social problems.
He gave these instructions during a discussion held yesterday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat to review the current status of national drinking water, community water supply, and wastewater management projects, along with budget allocations, future plans, and related requirements.
The President also requested a report identifying priority projects, including the possible commencement dates, required financial allocations, and expected completion timelines.
Emphasizing that projects should not be delayed due to financial shortages, the President instructed officials to properly submit funding requests and continue implementing the projects.
He further stated that, instead of waiting for foreign loans, greater attention should be given to completing projects using domestic funds wherever possible. Officials were also advised to recruit the necessary staff on a contract basis for project implementation.
The President stressed the importance of utilizing capital expenditure allocations within the same year for the intended projects. Otherwise, project costs would increase and the expected benefits may not reach the public.
He also inquired in detail about the progress of drinking water projects being implemented in several districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Monaragala, Kandy, Gampola, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Ampara, Batticaloa, and Polonnaruwa.
Officials explained that in the Colombo District, damaged main water supply pipelines have caused difficulties in providing an adequate water supply to the public. The President pointed out the need for the Road Development Authority and the Water Supply Board to work together in coordination to solve the issue.
He also instructed officials to take steps to begin the planned Wee Oya Reservoir Project next year in order to address flood control and drinking water needs in the Colombo District.
Attention was also given to the North Central Maha Ela and North Western Canal projects, while officials were instructed to expedite projects aimed at solving the severe drinking water shortages in the areas of Welikanda, Medirigiriya, and Lankapura.
The President further emphasized that although some projects had been suspended, all of them were originally designed based on public needs, and therefore it is important to systematically continue them and ensure that the people receive their intended benefits.
