Pan Asia Bank to donate water purification plant to rural village battling CKD

Pan Asia Bank, one of the fastest growing commercial banks in Sri Lanka, recently initiated a CSR project to build a water purification plant in Thanthirimale to mark its 20th anniversary. 

Thantirimale, is a village located in Mahavilachchiya divisional secretariat in Anuradhapura which has been severely affected by Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) which is believed to be caused by consumption of contaminated water. This village has a population of 1,239 out of which more than 400 are already affected while more than 150 of them are at a critical stage.

A spokesperson from the bank commented that given the main reason for CKD is lack of clean water, Pan Asia Bank as a responsible corporate citizen of this country has decided to come forward and build this special water purification plant to help the local community in their hour of need. He further added that this CSR project is also initiated to commemorate the bank’s 20th anniversary in a meaningful manner.

This project will consist of a water purification plant that uses the Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology to purify the water and the proposed plant will have capacity to purify 10,000 litres of water per day. In addition, multiple distribution units with capacity of 1000 litres per unit will be constructed in strategic locations across the village to distribute the clean water. 

The clean water will be supplied to the distribution units using a special water bowser which will also be donated by Pan Asia Bank as part of the project. A noteworthy aspect of this project is that the toxic material separated from the contaminated water during the purification process will be managed using advanced technology instead of releasing them to the environment again.

A simple ceremony was held in Thanthirimale Anuradhapura on 14 August to lay the foundation and commence this project with the participation of several prominent government servants in the area, representatives from armed forces and police and Community Based Organisation – Thanthirimale Chairman Edvin Welikala who represented the local community. Pan Asia Bank Chief Financial Officer Lalith Jayakody and several bank officials participated representing Pan Asia Bank while - Manager Marketing & Business Development Hasanga Senanayake participated on behalf of Puritas Ltd., the technical services provider for this project. 

The project is expected to be completed by end of October.