Sri Lanka to mark World Water Day from 20-22 March

Sri Lanka will mark the World Water Day scheduled for 22 March with a three-day program that includes an international exhibition, a walk for water and a series of seminars.

National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of Sri Lanka under the guidance of the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage has made arrangements to celebrate the World Water Day 2013 from 20 to 22 March at the Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

The convention expects to bring together all possible stakeholders to create awareness and share experiences on Water Cooperation. In addition to the three-day international exhibition a seminar session will be held on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The disease, prevalent in north central and north western Sri Lanka, is believed to be caused by arsenic-containing ground water.

The United Nations has declared 2013 as the ‘International Year of Water Co-operation’ to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services.

The Cabinet has given approval to Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardena to proceed with the program.