PM to appoint committee to improve water supply in the country

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa

A committee to develop a strategic mechanism for a common watershed in order to improve water supply in the country will be appointed next week, the Prime Minister’s Office stated yesterday.

According to the statement, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to appoint the committee in order to connect all parties relevant to meeting social and environmental water supply demands in an efficient and just manner.

The committee will also review water supply policy, strengthen the management and development of combined water resources, and develop a public mechanism to solve water supply issues.

The Prime Minister’s Office added the country incurs losses of $300 million due to flooding in the Western Province every year, which is mainly caused by inefficient infrastructure.

In order to discuss the appointing of the committee as well as its functions, Prime Minister Secretary Gamini Senarath yesterday met with representatives from 15 relevant organisations. 

The organisations include the Water Supply Ministry, Irrigation Ministry, State Ministries of Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation Development related to Rural Paddy Fields and Canals and Common Infrastructure Development in Settlements in Mahaweli Zones, the Mahaweli Authority, Irrigation Department, and the Agrarian Development Department.