Sri Lanka, China break ground for Rs. 2.8 b Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology

The ground breaking ceremony of China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology with an investment of Rs. 2.8 billion was held last week at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. 

Speaking at the ceremony Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi said water plays a central and a vital role in all aspects of life. Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, life forms cannot survive more than few days.

Currently nearly 1 billion people lack access to safe water and over 2.7 billion lack access to basic sanitation. Unfortunately around 6 million people die each year from water-related diseases. 

Water pollution makes this situation worse and increases the scarcity of clean water enhancing the water crisis. Rivers, aquifers, tanks, lakes and other natural water sources are getting polluted day by day. Industrial growth, urbanisation and the increasing use of synthetic organic substances have serious and adverse impacts on freshwater bodies. 

The issue of water and health is not limited to a country or a region and it is a global concern and a responsibility of the entire world. Integrated water resources management is one of the key approaches towards effective and optimum management and utilisation of this threatened and precious resource. Innovative solutions and appropriate technologies shall be adapted to overcome the funding constraints and limitations. Widely accepted water safety plans shall be implemented which could reach more people in order to derive more health benefits. Access to safe water and sanitation is considered as one of the basic human rights. We all should work in harmony respecting this human right by ensuring the quantity, quality, availability, accessibility and affordability of drinking water and sanitation facilities for all. 

The Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply and National Water Supply and Drainage Board have already taken steps to expand the water supply coverage in Sri Lanka to achieve 60% target in year 2020.

One of the key areas in coverage expansion is to address the drinking water issues of the people suffering from Chronic Kidney Diseases.

Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the burning issues as it is due to an unknown etiology. Disease has spread over 11 districts in Sri Lanka mainly due to the changes in various human activities and environmental factors. Over the past 30 years, it has become a major health issue. This disease is especially shown among the farmers’ 40-60 age groups. The impact of such disasters on farmers is a key factor in the social and economic development of the country. The majority of researchers believe that the cause of kidney disease is drinking contaminated water.

The Project named ‘China-Sri Lanka Collaborative Grant Research Project on CKDu’ between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China has been originated by the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Rauff Hakeem, Minister, Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage and Prof. (Dr.) Chunli Bai, President, Chinese Academy of Sciences on 26 March 2015 in front of the two Presidents of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China.

That was the foundation established to initiate the China-Sri Lanka Research grant program. After that five more MoUs were signed with the key stakeholders to strengthen the program.

As the representatives of stakeholders and well wishes, we cordially expect your dedication, active participation, contribution to find the root cause of CKDu and to provide the solutions to the government of Sri Lanka. 

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Economic and Commercial Counsellor Yang Zuoyuan said, as a key project of the Chinese government to aid Sri Lankan people to improve their health and ensure the safety of drinking water, it is highly concerned by both the governments and the public. “Recently we held a press conference in the Department of Government Information to introduce the situation and significance of the project to Sri Lankan people. This reflected the great support of Sri Lanka Government for this project which we highly appreciate for. We are convinced that in the future, we will see a modern, high-quality water technology research and demonstration centre in Kandy, which will play an important role in improving the expertise of water technology research in Sri Lanka.”

As for the constructor of the project, China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (CTCE) is the flagship subsidiary of China Railway Group Ltd. the world’s second largest construction contractor. CTCE developed its business over 20 countries around the world. I believe that CTCE will complete the mission with great success and make due contribution to the friendship between China and Sri Lanka. At present, the relations between China and the Sri Lanka have shown a sound momentum of development. The two sides maintain frequent high-level exchanges, political mutual trust has been strengthened and cooperation in various fields has been deepened. Sri Lanka actively involved in the Belt and Road Initiation, which promote the sustainable development of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership.

China and Sri Lanka has a long history of friendship. In the past, the Sri Lankan government and people offered the help unconditionally when China was in the tough times. And the Chinese government has also provided selfless economic and technological assistance to Sri Lanka over the years to help Sri Lanka improve its economic development and promote its sustainable development. China’s assistance for Sri Lanka’s development reflects the brotherhood towards the Sri Lanka government and people. In the future, the Chinese government will, as always, strive to make China’s development more beneficial to the people of Sri Lanka and make every effort to help Sri Lanka further realise its social and economic development and people’s happiness and well-being.