WATERMANAGEMENT VITAL TO FACE FUTURE-CHARITHA
The Environment Ministry was in the process of introducing laws to further strengthen the Environment Act to protect water resources in the country and to minimize water pollution, Central Environment Authority (CEA) Chairman Dr. Charitha Herath said. He said water would be the most precious commodity on earth in the middle of this century and therefore, water resources management was extremely vital for the survival of mankind. Addressing a seminar on water management held at the CEA auditorium, Dr. Herath said water resources management was not an alien subject to Sri Lankans as water preservation was a part of the main livelihood of ancient Sri Lankans.
“The construction of tanks and distribution of water round the year for irrigation and drinking purposes was managed through a highly controlled technical method which ensured the prevention of water contamination and waste,” Dr. Herath stressed.
Dr. Herath pointed out that rapid industrial development had posed a huge threat to water resources as not only the rain water but ground water had been contaminated due to excessive use of resources such as fossil fuel and coal. It would not be long when countries with limited water resources might have to construct water refineries to provide drinking water to the people at a high cost. The CEA was one of the pio- neers in South Asia that took the initiative to introduce a legal framework for the protection of the environment and water resources. The CEA has already launched a programme to purify industrial waste water and release to the environment to maintain the eco balance. Prof. Mitsumasa Okada of the Open University of Japan also spoke.