North gets two new drinking water projects

People in the north will have drinking water from two newly-completed projects from next month.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa initiated the projects under the Economic Development Ministry’s ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ (Northern Spring) Emergency Northern Recovery Project to solve the drinking water problem that faced civilians who returned to their homes after the end of the war.

The National Water Supplies and Drainages Board undertook the work utilising the funds allocated by the Economic Development Ministry for development and reconstruction programs in the north. The two projects will provide drinking water to 12,594 families in 16 Grama Seva Divisions in Adampan in Mannar District and Nedunkerni in Vavuniya District, according to Director of the Economic Development Ministry’s Re-awakening Project, Eng. S.K. Liyanage.

Over two million litres of water can be stored under these projects the total cost of which is Rs. 472 million. The LTTE totally destroyed the earlier water supply system in Adampan during the conflict. The total cost of the new project there was Rs. 296 million. It will provide drinking water to 5,860 people in the eight Grama Seva Divisions of Nadukkandal, Wedidayanmurippu, Adampan, Papamodeyi, Palayikul, Minukkan, Maligayikidal and Sonapuri.

The project in Vavuniya has replaced the old and dilapidated small drinking water supply system in Nedunkerni.  The new project will supply drinking water to 6,734 people in the eight Grama Seva Divisions of Paddikudirippu, Katikulam, Nedunkerni South and North, Olumadu, Mamadu, Kulavisuddan and Mareyi Ilappayi.