US helps fresh water flow to communities in Semmandaluwa

Saturday, 22 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis declared open the water line extension along Semmandaluwa Road in the Township of Puttalam, enabling 100 families in the area to obtain fresh water.

Acting on a request by the local residents conveyed by Mayor Mohammed Nazmi, Ambassador Butenis initiated steps to fund the construction. This venture was made possible with the help of the US Embassy’s Civil Military Support Element and the United States Pacific Command.

Emphasising that access to clean water is a basic human need, Ambassador Butenis said to the Semmandaluwa community, “We at the United States Embassy are pleased to have been able to assist you and will continue to be Sri Lanka’s partner in addressing the vital necessities of communities like yours here in Puttalam.”

Ambassador Butenis thanked the community members, representatives from the Water Supply and Drainage Board, the locally elected representatives and the Central Government for cooperating to make the water line project a success. She also expressed confidence that the people in Semmandaluwa would continue to work together on the operations and maintenance of the water line which now belongs them.