The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer to that Question is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. In 2008, a groundwater-based water supply project funded by USAID was implemented to address drinking water needs in the Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat Division. Subsequently, measures were also taken to serve the residents of Lahugala and Panama. Owing to limited capacity, at present, supply is restricted to about two hours per day in those areas.

¶ 03 (ii) Yes. The Heda Oya Project was proposed in 2016 to cover the Pottuvil, Lahugala, Madulla and Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Divisions. However, due to inadequate financial allocations, the project was suspended midway.

¶ 04 (b) (i) As stated in (a) (ii), the project was halted due to insufficient funds.

¶ 05 (ii) No. A decision has not been taken to restart the Heda Oya Water Project. Instead, to meet drinking water needs in the said Divisional Secretariat Divisions, a project has been proposed to draw water from the Senanayake Samudraya.

¶ 06 For Phase I of the proposed project, an estimated Rs. 12,000 million will be required. The proposal has been submitted to the World Bank for financial appraisal. As a short-term measure to increase raw water availability, a weir-type anicut is being constructed across Heda Oya–Navalaru, scheduled for completion by July 2026.

¶ 07 (c) Does not arise.