We are in the process to achieve 100% sanitation targets: Hakeem

Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem said yesterday that Sri Lanka is in the process to achieve the sanitation targets, perhaps hopefully the 100% target.

In his speech at the closing session of the 7th South Asian Conference on Sanitation held in Islamabad, Pakistan, he said it was indeed a pleasure to conclude another SACOSAN summit here in Islamabad.

“We look forward to SACOSAN 8 in Delhi. In the meantime all of us, member countries, are going through our experiences and achievements in meeting with the sustainable development goals in particular goal No. 6.2 that relates to safety managed sanitation”.

He said: “Our country is indeed pleased that we were able to achieve the previous set of goals under the Millennium Development Goals (DMGS). We were even able to achieve our targets well ahead of the time and we are also in the process to achieve the sanitation targets perhaps hopefully the 100% target, hopefully by the time we meet in Delhi, we will be able to report to you that we have achieved 100% target by that year. Having said that it is indeed a matter of pride for all of us that we have taken into consideration all vulnerabilities that marginalize communities of our countries are facing in achieving particularly in such varied manner and we are looking at every marginalized citizen of our own country.

“It is indeed a matter of happiness and pride for all of us that we are able to come out with another declaration in Islamabad and we would soon be in a position to reach the goals that we have set ourselves through that the friendship and accommodation in hosting this function in an entertaining manner of our governments. Our governments have been wanting a headquarters somewhere and our government last year pledged to host this centre in Kandy and all of you by the time when we meet in Delhi in 2020 will have a permanent abode for the SACOSAN community,” he said.