Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga instructed authorities to end the water problem by the end of this year.
Expedited measures are being taken to solve the drinking water problem in the Gampaha District. Minister Ranatunga has instructed Gampaha District Secretary Saman Dharshana Pandikorala to submit a report to him on the overall drinking water requirement of the Gampaha District.
The Minister emphasized that by the end of this year, arrangements will be made to provide every family in the Gampaha District with clean drinking water.
The Minister made these comments while participating in the Gampaha District Coordinating Committee meeting held at the ‘Lak Siyane Medura’ in Gampaha, yesterday (30).
The Minister inquired from the Water Supply Board whether the Karasnagala Water Project which is due to be completed in December would suffice to fulfil the water requirements of the entire Gampaha District.
Officials of the Water Supply Board said that the Karasnagala Water Project is under construction at present and if it is possible to complete it by December, they would be able to fulfil the water requirements of people of the Gampaha District.
Then the Minister asked why the officials could not give a proper answer as to when the work on this project could be completed. In response, the officials said that about 80% of transmission pipes have been laid as of now, and it would be possible to finish laying all the pipes by December.
Minister Ranatunga requested the officials to create a plan at Divisional Secretariat Division level and to provide water requirements to at least 90% of the Gampaha District.
He also inquired whether the Attanagalle Water Project will be completed by December, and if so whether water will be distributed in conjunction with the completion and what quantity is covered at electorate level from the overall requirement. He ordered that a report be submitted to him soon.
Chairman of the Gampaha District Coordinating Committee, MP Sahan Pradeep Vithana, Power and Energy State Minister Indika Anuruddha, Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody, Gampaha District MP Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, Gampaha District Secretary Saman Dharshana Pandikorala, Divisional Secretaries, Police Officers-In-Charge, Heads of Security divisions, public officials and others participated.
Nirmanee Igalahewage