Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-07-06

Project(A) : The Community - Based Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Post-Conflict Areas of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Project(B) : Implementation of the Technical Assistance Programme for Capacity Development

- these two projects are to be implemented by the government on a proposal made by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage, which was approved by the Cabinet. The objective is to improve the living conditions of the communities in the Districts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi including returnees by providing water supply and sanitation facilities. The areas covered are Delft, Mathagal East and Shanthai and Vaddakachchi East and Central.

Project (A) - this will be financed by a grant of US$ 2 million provided under theJapanese Fund for Poverty Reduction, which is administered by the Asian Development Bank. The Government of Sri Lanka will provide US$ 260,906.00 and the community contribution will be US$ 157,079.00. The project is to be implemented from 2012 -2014.

Project (B) - This is a technical assistance programme for capacity development linked with the Asian Development Bank funded Jaffna -Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The required training for the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Jaffna Municipal Council, Urban Councils and selected Pradeshiya Sabhas etc. will be provided under this project. Out of the total cost of US$ 665,000, US$600,000 will be financed on a grant basis by the Asian Development Bank and the government will finance the remaining US$ 65,000. The project is to be implemented from 2012 - 2015.