Japan to support project providing gravity-fed clean water supply in Nuwara Eliya District

The grant contract was signed between Ambassador of Japan Sugiyama Akira and ADRA Sri Lanka Country Director (Interim) W.M.P.R. Bandaratilleke

The Government of Japan provided a grant of $ 63,197 (approx. Rs. 12 million) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) for the provision of ‘Gravity-Fed Water System for Clean Water Supply in the Ambagamuwa DS Division, Nuwara Eliya District’. 

The grant contract was signed on 9 March at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, between Ambassador of Japan Sugiyama Akira and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Sri Lanka Country Director (Interim) W.M.P.R. Bandaratilleke. 

ADRA Sri Lanka has engaged in providing clean water supply and hygiene facilities for communities in the Nuwara Eliya District for years. Located in the tea plantations amid mountains, the Minna Division of the Strathspey Estate is one of the most remote and isolated communities in the area. The community has struggled to provide access to clean water for its residents like most other communities in the vicinity. The only available water sources are the natural stream water which flows through other villages and an old water tank both of which are unclean and insufficient to cater to the needs of the entire community. 

This project will therefore improve water supply and the hygiene environment of the plantation community through the construction of a gravity-fed water supply system where all members of the division will have access to filtered clean water. The project will also contribute to realising the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ in which the Government of Sri Lanka envisages to provide drinking water to every family. Training on daily hygiene practices for the community will also be provided through this grant for approximately 750 people in the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division.  

Upon receiving the grant, Bandaratilleke stated: “It is certainly a pleasure to be working with the Embassy of Japan again. In 2017 ADRA successfully handed over two of such water systems in the Alton Estate, Upcot, which were also funded through the GGP program. The ongoing partnership with the people of Japan is always valued. We have received immense support from the estate management and relevant Government counterpart in planning this project and we thank them. As always, ADRA will ensure the project is implemented with a high level of accountability and transparency, while promoting strong ownership among the community. Sri Lanka and Japan have a long and rich history of collaboration and we are happy to be a part of this long-term friendship. We thank the people of Japan for their continued support and love.”