Korea funds Rs. 10.2 b worth Deduru Oya, Ruwanwella water supply projects in Kurunegala and Kegalle

Wednesday, 31 December 2014 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government of Republic of Korea has agreed to provide two concessional loans for $ 78.685 million (approximately Rs. 10,230 million) to improve water supply facilities for the people in Kurunegala and Kegalle districts in line with the Government’s target of providing safe drinking water for all citizens.

Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera shakes hand with YIM Seong-Hyeog, Vice president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea after signing of the loan agreement Rapid spreading of chronic kidney disease has become a burning issue in Sri Lanka. Mahawa and Popithigama divisions in Kurunegala District have been identified as the prominent areas of chronic kidney disease due to consumption of unsafe ground water. Also, dug wells in Ruwanwella area in Kegalle District get dry during the dry period and people in this area suffer from shortage of drinking water. Therefore, provision of safe drinking water to residents in Mahawa, Polpithigama and Ruwanwella areas by developing a piped water supply scheme is vital, and it will help to decrease the incidence of water borne diseases and shortage of drinking water in these areas. The GOSL had bilateral discussions with the government of Korea to get financial assistance for the above purpose, and accordingly GOL has agreed to provide two concessional loans amounting $ 58.155 million (approximately Rs. 7,560 million) and $ 20.530 million (approximately Rs. 2, 670 million) for Deduru Oya and Ruwanwella water supply projects respectively through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of the Export-Import Bank of Korea. The signing of the loan agreement pertaining to the loan took place at the Ministry of Finance and Planning with YIM Seong-Hyeog, Vice president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea. The projects will be implemented by the National Water Supply & Drainage Board under the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage.