Abstract:
In Sri Lanka more than 60% of the population living in rural area does not have access to safe
drinking water. As per census records of 2001, 75% of total population are living in rural areas
and do not have proper water sanitation facilities, which can be directly related to health hygiene
and income generation of rural community in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan National Policy states the government's goal is to provide clean water and safe
sanitation to all its citizens by 2025. However, progress toward this goal has been hindered by a
centralized delivery system, inefficient intra- governmenta processes and limited capacity at the
local level to manage water and sanitation systems. More recently, the Government of Sri Lanka
has taken steps to address these obstacles through a national policy for Rural Water Supply and
Sanitation Sector (RWSS). The RWSS aims to shift the responsibility for delivery of water and
sanitation services to, Local Government, civil society and private sector organizations.
Towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goal (MGDs),in 2025, Government of Sri
Lanka has taken steps to develop the RWSS Schemes in every part of Sri Lanka.
In the Batticaloa District there were no rural water supply schemes implemented in the past years
due to disturbances and displacements of people in the rural villages. The only piped water supply
is that implemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board in the urban area to cover
Batticaloa and kattankud town limits.
Generally in all villages there is scarcity prevailing for drinking water. Villagers fulfil their
drinking water needs by obtaining water from the nearest village. For their household and other
needs, irrigation tanks and channels are being used. This water too is of undesirable quality and
the quantity is inadequate. There is a possibility of spreading of waterbom < diseases in these
villages as most of the people are directly consuming the water without any treatment or even
boiling. During the dry season the situation becomes worse.
Normally in villages of this nature, it is the women who fetch water in pots and cans. It is
expected that with provision of an appropriate water supply system, their burden will reduce in
going out in search of water and carrying back to their houses. It is also expected that the
housework will be made easy by availability of pipe-borne potable water.
Most of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's)worked in these villages, were focused on
upgrading the living standard of the people by encouraging them for self employment, cultivation
and income generation modes, but rarely on water and sanitation issues. Therefore, the people of
these villages were expecting to fulfil their basic need of obtaining drinking water through rural
water supply schemes implemented in their villages.
IV
