South Asian Student Conference on ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’

The South Asian Student Conference on ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ was inaugurated yesterday at 10.00 a.m. at Ape Gama premises in Pelawatte, Battaramulla.

President Maithripala Sirisena was expected to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to attend the 2nd day (today) of the Conference as the Chief Guest.

The conference is organised by the Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Ministry and the Education Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, Health and Indigenous Medicine Ministry and State Ministry of Education. 400 students selected from all nine provinces from ages 14–18 is taking part in this event as the core group with wider audience including policy makers, professionals, students, teachers, international stakeholders and media.

In addition, 19 foreign students and seven Chaperones from SAARC countries will take part.

100 Adult Observers who are Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sector professionals from government and nongovernmental entities, academia, administrative sector, final year university students and media will observe the students’ progress throughout the Conference while giving feedback for improvement.

Ministers Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Gayantha Karunathilleke, Deputy Minister Dunesh Gankanda and State Minister P. Radhakrishnan were also expected to participate at the Conference.

This conference will pave the way to bring in many aspects for discussion related to drinking water such as water safety, water treatment, adequate consumption, conservation, economic value, environmental aspects, climate change and water related norms from students’ standpoint.

Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage had made necessary arrangements to make this Conference a success.