The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) At present there is no proper wastewater management system for the Batticaloa Municipal Council. Therefore, “renovation” is not applicable. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has identified the need for a wastewater management system for Batticaloa city and has carried out a pre-feasibility study for the Greater Batticaloa Municipal Council area.

¶ 03 Subsequently, for the Batticaloa Municipal Council area, M/s Ion Exchange (India) Limited conducted, at their own expense, a feasibility study in line with the Mannar District Secretariat North (2019) framework. The proposal covers a population of 145,809 in 48 GN Divisions under the Mannar North Divisional Secretariat. The total project cost is Rs. 63,259 million (2019), in two phases: Phase 1 Rs. 42,418 million and Phase 2 Rs. 20,841 million.

¶ 04 Key components: - Gravity sewer network: total length 310 km - Pumping mains: total length 37.78 km - Wastewater pumping stations: 24 units - Wastewater treatment plant: 22,250 m3/day capacity - Short sea outfall: 731 m - O&M support facilities

¶ 05 This feasibility was done by Ion Exchange under NWSDB supervision. Due to lack of funding, the final feasibility report has not been submitted to NWSDB.

¶ 06 (ii) A feasibility study has been prepared. Upon receipt of the final report, further action can be taken; however, due to funding constraints, no further steps have been taken yet.

¶ 07 (iii) Once a suitable funding source is identified, NWSDB expects to obtain the final feasibility report and proceed with project planning.

¶ 08 (b) Not applicable.