By Uditha Jayasinghe 

The Sri Lankan Government has decided to borrow Rs.32.1 billion from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build a water supply project in Anuradhapura. 

Cabinet approval was given for the project this week on a paper that was submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs. The Government plans to enter into a loan agreement with JICA to obtain a concessionary loan of 23,137 million Yen, which is approximately Rs. 32,169 million. 

The largest number of Chronic Kidney Patients is reported from the Anuradhapura District. As much as 85% of people living in rural areas of the district obtain drinking water from unhealthy sources. Such patients as well as their dependents are highly affected by the kidney disease making it crucial to provide healthy drinking water through pipelines. 

The Wahalkada Water Supply Project which is to be implemented under the above project will benefit people living in Padawiya, Kebithigollewa, Horovpothana and Kahatagasdigiliya in the northern part of Anuradhapura.

Initially affecting several rural communities around North Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka, CKD is now prevalent in North Western, Eastern, Southern and Central provinces, and parts of the Northern Province of the island.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the population in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Badulla Districts between the age group 15-70 years are affected by CKD. Although majority of those affected are male paddy farmers and agricultural labourers, there are now a growing number of women and children being affected by CKD.   

ADB to provide Sri Lanka additional $ 60 m for drinking water projects 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide an additional loan amount of $ 60 million for the success of the Local Government Enhancement Sector Project (LGESP) (Pura Neguma Project) executed by the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The additional funds are expected to be utilised in projects related to provide safe drinking water as a solution to the Chronic Kidney Disease, improvement of divisional infrastructure and preliminary services, expedition of restructuring process of local Government authorities and improving capacity of the same which are the priority tasks of the Government.

The Pura Neguma project is envisaged to improve the effective delivery of local infrastructure and services in selected local authorities in less-developed areas of Sri Lanka. Under the project, 108 Local Authorities have been selected in seven provinces excluding the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Local Authorities will implement subprojects for roads and bridges, water supply and sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, and other basic facilities, including buildings or enhancing health-care centres and public markets.

Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into an agreement with the Asian Development Bank to obtain the loan to proceed with the project.