People have an unrestrained right to water. As a result of various human activities, there is a danger of people losing this right as already evident in most parts of the world. We have identified this challenge. Thus, as in agriculture, we act to safeguard this basic right for the development of the country, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the World Water Day.

Hence, we have taken steps to give optimum benefit of the water resource to the people of this country by implementing giant projects such as Moragahakanda and Rambukkan Oya under the National Irrigation Scheme, the President further stated.

Following is the full text of the message:

I am pleased to send this message to the World Water Day 2010.

The government of Sri Lanka has already brought an honourable peace and freedom to the country. The next aim of Mahinda Chintana: Vision Ahead is to win the war on the economic front. Providing infrastructure facilities to the people takes foremost place in this, and supply of water is one of the key related development activities.

Therefore, we celebrate World Water Day this year as a government with pride in its commitment to preserve the water resources of our land.

People have an unrestrained right to water. As a result of various human activities, there is a danger of people losing this right as already evident in most parts of the world. We have identified this challenge. Thus, as in agriculture, we act to safeguard this basic right for the development of the country.

Hence, we have taken steps to give optimum benefit of the water resource to the people of this country by implementing giant projects such as Moragahakanda and Rambukkan Oya under the National Irrigation Scheme.

‘Clean Water for a Healthy World' is the theme of the World Water Day this year. Accordingly, I call upon all to step forward to face up to the challenges of our heritage.

I commend the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and National Water Supply and Drainage Board for their service and hope they will duly fulfil the expectations of our people for a prosperous future.