Anuradhapura north water supply project launched under President's patronage

The Present Government Is Committed to Delivering a Better Quality of Life for Farmers This Government Has Allocated the Largest Amount in History for Paddy Procurement.The Malwathu Oya Project, Which Has Been Under Discussion for Decades, Will Commence Next Year. Plans Are Underway to Expedite the Completion of the North Central Main Canal Project and Extend Water Supply up to Mahakanadarawa. – President Sri Lanka's Second-Largest Water Supply Project, Which Will Ensure Safe Drinking Water for 67,000 Families, Commences yesterday . – Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe 

The Water Supply Sector Is Experiencing a New Revival Under the Present Government. – Minister Susil Ranasinghe Sri Lanka's Economy Has Now Stabilised Owing to the Government's Strong Macroeconomic Policies.  

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the present Government is one that looks after the farming community, with its objective being to ensure farmers enjoy a better quality of life, greater social recognition and the dignity they deserve. The President pointed out that the Government has undertaken a series of significant measures for the benefit of farmers, including doubling the fertiliser subsidy, providing the highest compensation in the country's history for agricultural lands devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, allocating the largest-ever funding for paddy procurement and resuming major irrigation projects to ensure an adequate water supply for cultivation. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks yesterday  (10) while attending the launch of the second phase of the Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Sri Lanka. Its objective is to provide clean and safe drinking water to 67,000 households in the Padaviya, Kebithigollewa, Horowpothana and Kahatagasdigiliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions of the Anuradhapura District, where Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) remains prevalent. The President noted that the lack of access to clean drinking water has been identified as a major contributing factor to the spread of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in these areas since the 1990s. He emphasised that this project is not merely an infrastructure development initiative, but one that safeguards the people's fundamental right to life and good health. The President expressed his appreciation to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for their support and implementation of the project. He also expressed confidence that all stakeholders would work diligently to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe so that its benefits could be delivered to the people without delay. The Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project is one of these initiatives and will provide safe drinking water to approximately 67,000 families. We plan to launch many more projects of this nature across the country. Ensuring access to clean drinking water is the responsibility of any government and we are committed to fulfilling that responsibility. Agriculture is the primary source of income for our farming community. The Government you helped bring to power is one that genuinely looks after farmers. No previous government has supported the farming community to this extent. When we assumed office, the fertiliser subsidy stood at Rs. 15,000. Today, we have doubled it to Rs. 30,000. Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, we provided the highest compensation ever paid in the country's history to affected farmers. For the first time, compensation was also paid for losses to fruit and vegetable cultivation. Higher compensation was granted for all damaged crops and assistance was also extended to livestock farmers. Never before has there been a government that has stood by farmers in this manner. Whenever you faced a disaster, we intervened to provide assistance. Reconstruction work has already commenced on 65 tanks damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and Rs. 2 billion has been allocated this year to restore damaged irrigation canals across the North Central Province. We have also initiated several major irrigation projects. The Lower Malwathu Oya Project has been under discussion for decades. People living in Vilachchiya and Tantirimale continue to suffer from severe water shortages, while vast quantities of water from the Malwathu Oya have flowed into the sea for centuries. We have therefore decided to recommence the Lower Malwathu Oya Project. The project is expected to cost approximately Rs. 40 billion and work will begin this year. We have instructed officials to complete works worth Rs. 7 billion during next year alone. Work on the North Central Main Canal Project, which commenced many years ago, has stalled midway. We have therefore planned to expedite its completion and extend water supplies up to the Mahakanadarawa Reservoir. It is our responsibility to support the people living in these historic agricultural areas and provide them with the facilities they require. During the last Maha season, an issue arose regarding the purchase of paddy harvested after the Government's procurement programme had concluded. Farmers in certain areas were affected and we will resolve that issue. Harvesting for the Yala season has now begun. If farmers are unable to sell their paddy at a fair price, that is an injustice to them. Therefore, we have intervened to ensure that paddy is purchased at fair prices. During the last Maha season alone, the Government allocated LKR 1.01 million for the procurement of paddy. Although funds allocated in the Budget were intended to cover procurement during both the Yala and Maha seasons, the Paddy Marketing Board utilised the allocation during the Maha season itself. Accordingly, LKR 1.006 million. was allocated for the procurement of paddy during the Yala season. Altogether, allocations of LKR 1.016 million have been made to procure paddy during the previous Yala and this Maha seasons, with a further allocation of LKR 1.006 million for the Yala season. This means the Government has procured a total of 1.022 million bushels of paddy over the previous Yala season, the Maha season and the current Yala season. We are also renovating paddy storage facilities and expanding storage capacity with the participation of the private sector. In addition, we have provided low-interest credit facilities to enable private sector buyers to purchase paddy. Step by step, we are resolving the challenges faced by farmers. Today, the people of this country stand with this Government. While there may be criticism from a few quarters, we remain confident that the people are with us. We will deliver the transformation that the people expect. The Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have provided us with invaluable support in these efforts. Following Sri Lanka's sovereign debt default in 2022, all JICA-funded projects came to a halt, including the Bandaranaike International Airport expansion project. The agreement for the television digitalisation project was signed in 2013, yet even after 13 years the project had not commenced. We will begin that project without delay and ensure its early completion. Likewise, work on the Bandaranaike International Airport project was suspended midway. We have now called for tenders to recommence the project and we expect construction to resume around October or November this year. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Japan for its continued support. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe For the people of Anuradhapura, water is life. This is the land of reservoirs. Yet, despite that, obtaining safe drinking water remains a major challenge. One of the most common sights along the roads in this area is shops selling drinking water because people no longer have confidence in their traditional water sources. Many more people are still waiting to receive piped water. Today, work begins on a massive project that includes a 12-acre water treatment plant and a distribution network extending over 1,500 kilometres. This is Sri Lanka's second-largest water supply project, costing Rs. 51 billion and providing safe drinking water to 67,000 families. As a people-centred Government, we have launched numerous large-scale projects to meet the drinking water needs of the people in this region. In addition, several other projects are being implemented across the Anuradhapura District, including those in Nochchiyagama, Giribawa, Eppawala, Galnewa and Payagala. We are fulfilling the aspirations of the people who elected a Government committed to serving their interests. Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Dr Susil Ranasinghe Today is a significant day for the people of Kebithigollewa, Horowpothana and Kahatagasdigiliya. These areas have long been regarded as remote and underserved, located far from urban centres and lacking basic facilities. They are also known for the high prevalence of kidney disease and for being home to many low-income farming families. Poverty, hardship and underdevelopment have become the labels associated with these communities. We are determined to remove those labels during our term in office. Our goal is to provide the people of these areas with every essential facility and a better quality of life. This water supply project is intended to lay the foundation for achieving that objective. This project is being implemented with the support of the Government of Japan and financial contributions from the Government of Sri Lanka. We therefore extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan. In the coming months, we will inaugurate and commence several more water supply projects across the country. This evening, a major water supply project in Thambuttegama will be commissioned. In a few weeks' time, we will open the Laggala Water Supply Project, followed approximately six weeks later by the Polgahawela–Potuhera Water Supply Project. We also expect to commission the Pathadumbara Water Supply Project in the near future. We have invested heavily to bring about a significant transformation and revival of the water supply sector and we intend to continue making such investments. Mr Kuronuma Kenji, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Sri Lanka This project reflects Japan's continued commitment to improving water supply services in Sri Lanka. Through the construction of a new water treatment plant and new water connections, the second phase of the project is expected to provide safe drinking water to approximately 67,000 families across 164 Grama Niladhari Divisions. This initiative will make a significant contribution not only to the daily lives of the people but also to the region's socio-economic development. This project also represents a major investment in public health. It addresses long-term health risks associated with unsafe groundwater, including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and dental and skeletal fluorosis. By ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water, the project will help build healthier and more resilient communities. JICA remains committed to working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to ensure the timely completion of this project and the delivery of its benefits to the people. Mr KAMOSHIDA Naoaki, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka Thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in this project, we are able to witness today's groundbreaking ceremony. Let us continue to work together to ensure its successful implementation. No one can survive without water. Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential to people's lives, while a reliable water supply is equally vital for the agricultural sector, which sustains the livelihoods of local communities. This project is expected to provide safe drinking water to approximately 67,000 families in the Anuradhapura District. Many communities in the area have suffered from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for many years. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with our Sri Lankan partners to ensure that the benefits of this project are delivered to the local communities as quickly as possible. This project carries great symbolic significance as Japan remains a steadfast partner in Sri Lanka's economic recovery. It is true that this project, which is financed through a concessional loan provided by Japan, had to be suspended following Sri Lanka's sovereign debt default. However, because Sri Lanka is an important partner to Japan, we took the lead together with India and France in establishing the Official Creditor Committee to facilitate negotiations on Sri Lanka's sovereign debt restructuring. Immediately after the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Committee and the Government of Sri Lanka, Japan became the first country to resume its ongoing concessional loan projects, including the disbursement of funds for this project in July 2024. The continuation of these concessional loan projects is crucial in restoring Sri Lanka's credibility in the international financial markets. I am therefore delighted to see the successful implementation of this project. Owing to the Government's strong macroeconomic policies, Sri Lanka's economy has now stabilised and reached a critical juncture on its path towards sustainable growth. Japan remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka through a range of infrastructure development projects. Member of Parliament Susantha Kumara Nawarathna also addressed the gathering. Members of the Maha Sangha and other religious leaders, Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Jinadasa, public representatives of the province, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Engineer L. Kumudu Lal Bogahawatte, Chairman of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Engineer Chandana Bandara, General Manager, Engineer T. Bharathidasan, government officials and local residents were also present at the event.