WATER PROJECT FACES HURDLES

RELOCATING RESIDENTS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGE

During the last government an agreement was signed with China Machinery Engineering Company to construct a water project to provide drinking water facilities to 400,000 persons at an estimated cost of Rs.33.06 billion.

The objective of the project is to supply water to people badly affected by the scarcity of drinking water in Gampaha, Attanagalla, Minuwangoda, Meerigama and Mahara areas.

However, this project which was due to begin on February 20, 2017 and complete by

February 19, 2020 had to be suspended due to some disputes resulting in the withdrawal of China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) from the contract.

However after considering the importance of this project in solving the drinking water problem, the government amended the disputed agreement and entered into a new agreement on August 24, 2018 with China Development Bank to begin the Gampaha, Attanagalle, Karasnagala Water Supply Project.

From the project, drinking water facilities will be provided for 449 grama seva divisions in Gampaha, Attanagalla, Minuwangoda ,Meerigama and Mahara secretarial divisions.

Accordingly,101 grama seva divisions in Gampaha,

151 in Attanagalla, 121 in Minuwangoda,34 in Mirigama and 42 in Mahara will be benefited with the completion of this water project.

Under the first stage of the project 300,000 persons in

449 GS areas will be provided

drinking water facilities while this facility will be extended for another 100,000 bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 400,000 after completing the whole project.