Not even a little water that comes from the rain must not flow into the ocean without being made useful, building of self-sufficient villages throughout the country is the effort of government- Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunewardena

Hon.  Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunewardena has stated that it is our responsibility to build self-sufficient villages throughout the country  by giving priority to the food production and by plating the Parakum Concept of “not even a little water that comes from the rain must not flow into the ocean without being made useful” in this earth.

He participated to the ceremony for distribution of 35 water bowsers worth of Rs. 490 million to the local authorities where there is no sufficient potable water located in 15 Districts of 07 provinces i.e. Northern, Eastern, North Central, North West, Central, Uva and Southern on 25.08.2022 at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. 

These bowsers have been distributed to Delft Pradeshiya Sabha, Vauniya South Sinhala Pradeshiya Sabha, wengala chettikulam Pradeshiya Sabha, Mannar Manthai West Pradeshiya Sabha, Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha, Killinochchi punakari Pradeshiya Sabha, as well as Trincomalee Padavi Sri Pura, Morawewa, Gomarankadawela, Batticola Porathipattu, Manmunai South West, Manmunai West, Koralapattu North, Ampara Alayaediwmbu, Mahaoya, Lahugala, Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Similarly, the action has been taken to provide these bowsers to Pradeshiya Sabhas like Anuradhapura Palagala,, Madawachchiya, Kebithigollawe, Central Nuwara Gam Palatha, Kahatagasdigiliya, Galenbidunuwewa, Galnewa, Rajangana, Pollonaruwa Welikanda, Puttalam Karuwalagaswewa and Nawagathegama.

In addition, the water bowsers have been distributed to Kandy-Minipe,Matale,Matale-Abangahakorale,Lagala, Pallegama, Wilgamuwa, badulla- bandarawela, Soranathota, Monaragala , Siyabalanduwa, Hambanthota and Lunugamvehera Pradeshiya Sabha.

At this event, Hon. Prime MInister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government further said.

"Our history was built on water. Not even a little water that comes from the rain must not flow into the ocean without being made useful “are the words of King Parakramabahu. Therefore we have a vast challenge to implement a program for building self-sufficient villages throughout the country by giving priority to the food production and agricultural crops. We had decided to distribute water bowsers to the local authorities which have no easy access to drinking water. Similarly, the selfless intention of carrying this water bowser which carries the potable water to the outside in emergencies    should also be implemented. The bowsers with modern equipment are the resources worth more than Rs.500 million. I request from the people’s representatives to maintain and protect and to be engaged for the service of people. Even though the various projects have been identified and implemented in order to solve the drinking water issue, some projects have been stopped on the way. Presently, as a government, we have paid attention to reactivate and complete such projects. I have also worked as the Minister of Water Supply. Therefore, I can understand the drinking water problem prevailing in Northern and Eastern provinces. Anyway, I think that this will support to solve the potable water issue of the people in that area. Enter to a time with new ideas to win the novel challenges. As Prime Minister and Minister in charge of subject of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local government, we are ready. These bowsers have been awarded based on a scientific methodology prepared by the Ministry of Finance based on data given by the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs Provincial Councils and Local Government under 04 criteria which shows the people’s requirements. 

As these bowsers consist with modern technology, a formal training will be given to the Drivers and Assistants who will use these bowsers by Toyota Lanka Company under supervision of the Ministry of Local Government.

Nimal Siripala De Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Douslas Devananda, Keheliya Rambukwella, Nazeer Ahamod, Deputy Speaker, Ajith Rajapaksha, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, D. Weerasinghe, Anuradha Jayaratne, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon,Rohana Dissanayake, Shashindra Rajapaksha Kapila Nuwan Athukorala and Kadar Masthan had participated to this event.Further, Secretray to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake and Secretary of Ministry of Public Administration, Home affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Chairmen of Pradeshiya Sabha had also participated.