Government will never privatize water resource - President
[Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 8.30 GMT]   

"The government will never sell our precious water resource, and it will never be made use of as a commercial commodity or privatized to bridge our budget deficit" said President Mahinda Rajapaksa commissioning the initial stage of the Greater Kandy Water Supply Project at Katugastota from "Temple Trees' yesterday (Jan 08, 07).

The President addressed the gathering at Katugastota via satellite from Temple Trees. The Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kiyoshii Araki, was present at the
Temple Trees ceremony.

"At a time when we speak about our heritage and the important place that conservation of water had in our past, I must clarify our stand on it today. Water is our treasured resource. We must conserve water. Wasting even a drop of water is tantamount to a disgrace to our forefathers, and it is something that our children will have to pay for," added the President.

The water supply project built at a cost of Rs.6,000 million will solve the vital drinking water shortage problem of around 77,000 people who were denied this basic facility. Another 304,000 residents of Kandy are also to receive an enhanced water supply through this scheme.                                                              

Referring to the many changes being done to develop Kandy and its environs, the President said transforming Kundasale into the administrative centre of Kandy, improving the Peradeniya Children's Hospital, building the Express Highway network, the translocation of Bogambara Prison to Pallekele and building the International Buddhist Centre in Kundasale, were some of the projects under way.

The President said Kandy will be re-built with the assistance of its residents. We should assist the Kandyans to regain their glorious heritage lost in the past. 'Senkadagala Navodaya' as envisioned in the 'Mahinda Chintanaya' is the process for this," he said.

The Greater Kandy Water Supply Project was constructed under the Official Development Assistance of the Government of Japan, with a 5,151 million Yen
loan channeled through the Japan Bank for Reconstruction & Development. The project is implemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

This project is part of the Government's efforts to provide an uninterrupted supply of hygienically clean pipe borne water to meet the maximum demand for
water in the Kandy area today.

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Last Updated Date: January 09, 2007 - 8.30 GMT