Awareness campaign to protect right to access clean drinking water tomorrow

Saturday, 14 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

People living in Valigaamam area of the Jaffna Peninsula are facing grave threat in accessing clean drinking water due to groundwater pollution caused by an oil leakage. During the last few weeks oil wastes have been clearly seen in wells in the area, which are the prime source of drinking water in Chunnagam and Valigaamam. The Jaffna peninsula relies on groundwater sources to fulfill all basic needs including drinking. Hence, it has become necessary to protect the water sources in the area.

In addition to that, steps need to be taken to clean the groundwater polluted by oil wastes. Environmentalists and industry experts have warned that the groundwater pollution will become uncontrollable if necessary actions are not taken on time. Given the nature of this situation, an awareness campaign titled ‘Let us protect our right to access clean drinking water’ has been organised, to stress the need for us all to unite and work towards safeguarding our water resources. The main goals of this peaceful campaign are creating awareness on the issue among people living all around the country and pressurising all sectors including the central Government, the Northern Provincial Council, industry experts and environmentalists to take immediate action in this regard. This campaign is by no means associated with any political parties or motivated by any political agenda. The event has been organised by enthusiastic youth from around the country, who have united together as Sri Lankans, leaving aside their religious, racial or language identities. The same problem which is faced by the people of Jaffna, was previously faced by the people of Welweriya in Gampaha. Hence, everyone is invited to join hands with ‘Youth United for Social Good’ to protect the people’s right to access clean drinking water. The campaign will be held tomorrow (15 February) near Commercial Bank, Galle Road, Wellawatte, Colombo 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.