ONUR to hand over rainwater harvesting tanks in Jaffna and Kilinochchi

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) will hand over rainwater harvesting tanks built in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts to beneficiaries in a function which will be attended by ONUR Chairperson, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga on 11 and 12 August. 

The rainwater harvesting initiative under the Social and Economic Development efforts of ONUR is aimed at addressing the severe shortage of water in most parts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts.

ONUR in its role as a catalyst in work related to reconciliation in Sri Lanka, through district development planning consultations, has observed that basic infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply and sanitation, electricity, education, health, irrigation and fisheries have been identified as priority sectors in the region to restore normalcy.Harvesting rainwater is considered as a sustainable development initiative where cisterns are being built in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts as a means to minimise the hardships due to lack of clean water in most areas caused by pollution, extraction of excessive groundwater for agriculture and contamination of water. This project will give the communities the ability to use these water resources for at least four to six months for drinking, cooking and basic washing purposes, depending on the size of the families.

In addition to the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement which contributed funds towards this initiative, the ONUR welcomes the fact that Diaspora Sri Lankans are engaging and investing for development, through the Gnanam Foundation in the United Kingdom, which has also made financial contributions towards the project.ONUR has, in addition to the construction of the cisterns, given training for the beneficiaries on how to utilise harvested rain water, while maintaining the rainwater harvesting tanks for durability. Given the high demand for these tanks, ONUR is planning to implement an expanded project to construct 3,000 more units in Jaffna District with the assistance of the Indian Government.

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, was established in April 2015. The mandate of the office is to promoting and providing for a society that respects rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms, justice, equality, inclusivity and diversity to achieve lasting reconciliation in Sri Lanka.​