Joint venture gets Rs. 1.44 b Anuradhapura water project contract as JICA funding resumes

Thursday, 2 April 2026 05:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the awarding of a major water supply contract under Phase II of the Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project, following the resumption of funding support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The contract has been awarded to the joint venture of Ceylex Engineering Ltd. and Jayanthi Super Construction Ltd., identified as the substantially responsive lowest bidder, at a value of Japanese Yen 763.75 million (around Rs. 1.44 billion), based on recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee.

The project, implemented with grant assistance from JICA in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka, aims to improve access to safe drinking water across 164 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Padaviya, Kabithigollewa, Horowpathana, Kahatagasdigiliya, Rambawa and Madawachchiya in the Anuradhapura District, regions that currently rely heavily on unreliable groundwater sources.

Although a contractor had been selected through a National Competitive Bidding process in 2022, the project stalled due to the suspension of JICA grant disbursements.

“With funding now reinstated, JICA has agreed to proceed with the original contractor, incorporating price escalation clauses to reflect cost changes over time,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday,

He said the approval is expected to accelerate long-delayed improvements to water infrastructure in the North Central Province, addressing both water security concerns and public health risks associated with unsafe groundwater usage.