News
NWSDB uses bowsers to provide water to 55,000 families
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government is distributing drinking water to 55,000 families in 52 Divisional Secretariat areas, using bowsers, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said on Thursday (17.) The NWSDB added that many areas in the southern province were facing many drinking water issues.
Wasantha Illangasinghe, General Manager of the NWSDB, said the Southern, North-Western, North-Central and Northern provinces had been adversely affected by the drought.
“Beliatta, Tangalle, Angunukolapelessa, Weeraketiya and a few other places in Southern province are the worst affected by drinking water shortages. We urge people to use the water sparingly. A person that uses piped water uses about 120 litres a day. However, only 40 litres are needed for cooking and drinking. We urge people to use alternative water sources if possible, to fulfill other needs,” she said.
Illangasinghe added that as the water levels dropped in rivers and other water sources, the quality of water also dropped.When water levels in Kelaniya and Kalu Ganga drops, seawater comes in and increases the salinity of river water, she said.
“Algae start growing in tanks when water levels drop. Sediment also gets mixed with drinking water,” she said.
The Met Department has said that there won’t be any significant rain until October.
Athula Karunanayake, Director, Meteorological Department said that there would be significant rain from October to December. There would be less rain again from December to April, he said. About 37,000 acres of paddy land had been destroyed by the drought, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
Sears takes five again as New Zealand complete ODI series sweep over Pakistan
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
-
Business2 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
News6 days agoBid to include genocide allegation against Sri Lanka in Canada’s school curriculum thwarted
-
Sports7 days agoSri Lanka’s eternal search for the elusive all-rounder
-
Business23 hours agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports3 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
News7 days agoComBank crowned Global Finance Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 3rd successive year
-
Features7 days agoSanctions by The Unpunished
-
Features7 days agoMore parliamentary giants I was privileged to know