Pakistan reaches out to Eastern Province with clean drinking water supply projects

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch and Governor Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, Mohan Wijewickrama, visited Morawava District for the inauguration of three clean drinking water projects for the needy Muslim, Sinhalese and Tamil communities of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

These projects are fully funded and gifted by the Government of Pakistan to Rotawewa, Awweinagar and Track-six village of the Morawava DS Division. These projects were handed over to the respective communities subsequent to the inauguration. The Rotawewa village is inhabited by the resettled Muslim families, whereas Track-six houses Buddhist Sinhalese families, while, Awweinagar is a Tamil resettlement in district Morawava.

In order to understand the needs of local communities in the selected areas a rapid assessment was conducted by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo in liaison with the Governor Eastern Province, Mohan Wijewickrama and the concerned local government. The Need Assessment findings presented provision of clean drinking water as a priority project for the selected communities. Accordingly, three projects for provision of clean drinking water were finalised with the assistance of Divisional Secretariat Moraweva, under the guidance of the Governor Eastern Province.

The Divisional Secretariat Morawava, implemented these projects with the assistance of the local communities under the guidance and monitoring of the honourable Governor Eastern Province and the sponsorship of Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.

These projects would add to various projects from the Government and people of Pakistan for their Sri Lankan brethren in health, education and livelihood sectors. These projects includes construction of the district Hospital Akurana; construction of a three storied state of the art school in Gampaha District, equipping science laboratories in schools, 30 computer centres and six stitching centres, providing ambulances to hospitals, annual awards of Jinnah Scholarships to students for continuation of education, and the annual awards of long-term scholarships for study of medicine, engineering, dentistry and pharmacy in Pakistan.

Since 1948, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship. Both countries have made impressive efforts to preserve and build on these solid foundations.