“River for Jaffna” project to immediately tackle water crisis in the north

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced the immediate start of the “River for Jaffna” project, aimed at addressing water scarcity issues in the northern region of Sri Lanka.

The President made this announcement while inaugurating the Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, a part of the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply Project, earlier today (02).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of continued collaborative efforts for development in the north, expressing his vision to transform the region into a developed province within the next 5-10 years.

Managed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Thalaiyady Sea Water Desalination Plant is part of the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply Project, supported financially by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Jaffna-Kilinochchi District Water Supply and Sanitation Project (JKWSSP) was launched in 2011 to address the drinking water needs of Jaffna and Kilinochchi with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the French Development Bank (AFD).

Currently, there are 2.5 million water connections nationally, with the aim of adding 60,000 new connections through the Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

The primary goal of the project is to provide safe drinking water to 300,000 people and improve sanitation facilities for 80,000 people in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

The construction of the desalination plant was contracted by the Asian Development Bank in 2017. So far, the project has completed the construction of 20 elevated water tanks, 186 km of water transmission pipelines, and 382 km of water distribution pipelines.

The contract for the desalination plant was awarded in January 2021 with a total project cost of USD 266 million. The Jaffna-Kilinochchi District Water Supply and Sanitation Project is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further commented,

This water purification plant will be the primary facility of its kind in Sri Lanka. The President thanked the local residents for providing the land for its construction and acknowledged the request for a separate Grama Niladhari Division for the village, promising to recommend it to the governor.

The establishment of the water purification plant will significantly address the drinking water issues in Jaffna. Plans are also in place to begin work on the Paliaru Reservoir to provide water to the Pooneryn area in the future.

The President also announced the launch of the “River for Jaffna” program, which aims to completely resolve the water problem in Jaffna. The program, along with the purification plant, will contribute to the restoration of the Vadamarachchi area.

To manage drinking water costs, the government plans to implement solar energy projects and introduce Drip Irrigation Systems to promote modern agriculture in the area. These initiatives are aimed at boosting the local economy.

Plans are also underway to renovate the port of Kankesanthurai in collaboration with India and establish an investment zone at the former cement factory site. Additionally, the development of Palali will enhance tourism opportunities and leverage wind and solar energy production for income generation.

The President expects Jaffna to become a developed area within the next 5-10 years through these initiatives, focusing on maximizing the benefits derived from water resources.

The government’s efforts include collaborating with various parties to enhance development and economic growth in the region.

Jeevan Thondaman, Minister for Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development,

Access to drinking water is essential, and the government is dedicated to ensuring it is accessible to all citizens. The completion of this project marks a significant improvement in meeting the drinking water needs of the people in the Northern Province.

Douglas Devananda, Minister of Fisheries,

Efforts are being made to address the various needs of the Tamil people, including access to drinking water. The President is committed to fulfilling these needs and encouraging dialogue to secure the rights of the people in the North.

Governor of the Northern Province, Mrs. P. S. M. Charles,

The President’s dedication and efforts have led to the successful completion of this vital project in the Northern Province, significantly improving the lives of the people in the region. The President’s vision and commitment have made a lasting impact on the development of the Northern Province.

State Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries also attended the event to witness the inauguration of this transformative project.