The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya

¶ 01 This question is to the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.

¶ 02 In the Kegalle District’s Galigamuwa Divisional Secretariat there are 51 Grama Niladhari divisions. The main issue facing residents is water. In May 2021, the “Visal Water Scheme” was initiated in Galigamuwa, beginning at Batuwatta in the Helamada GN division. Purified water from the Helamada Water Treatment Plant was to be stored in the Weragoda tank, then conveyed to Kobbewala and Narangoda tanks to meet resident needs. However, the project lacks efficiency and remains incomplete since 2021, causing immense hardship.

¶ 03 The scheme aimed to provide water to 13,000 households, but only 4,037 connections have been given; about 9,000 remain. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board cites lack of funds, especially for distribution lines. Due to Kegalle’s terrain and gravity-fed design, many hill areas are not covered.

¶ 04 In 2017, a landslide affected 35 families in this DS division, who were resettled at Rakshapura, Helamada. Even there, water is insufficient. Therefore, I ask:

¶ 05 1. What is the quantitative (aggregate) water demand in Galigamuwa? 2. Are you aware it has not yet been met? 3. What projects have been implemented so far? 4. What is their progress and outcomes? 5. What future projects are proposed to fully meet demand? 6. If not, why?