President Wickremesinghe Launches “River for Jaffna” Project
August 03, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the immediate commencement of the “River for Jaffna” project, aimed at addressing the chronic water scarcity in northern Sri Lanka. This declaration was made during the inauguration of the Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, a component of the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply Project, on August 2.
Reflecting on the 15 years since the end of the civil war in the North, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of ongoing collaborative development efforts. He expressed his ambition to transform the Northern Province into a developed region within the next 5-10 years.
The Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, managed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, is financially supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Sri Lankan government. The plant is part of the broader Jaffna-Kilinochchi District Water Supply and Sanitation Project (JKWSSP), initiated in 2011 with backing from the ADB and the French Development Bank (AFD).
Currently, there are 2.5 million water connections nationwide, with the Water Supply and Sanitation Project aiming to add 60,000 new connections. The project’s primary goal is to provide safe drinking water to 300,000 people and improve sanitation facilities for 80,000 people in Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts. Since 2017, the project has completed the construction of 20 elevated water tanks, 186 km of water transmission pipelines, and 382 km of water distribution pipelines.
The contract for the desalination plant was awarded in January 2021, with the total project cost amounting to USD 266 million. The JKWSSP is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted the significance of the new desalination plant, which will be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. He expressed gratitude to the local residents who provided land for its construction and recommended establishing a separate Grama Niladhari Division for the village.
The establishment of the water purification plant is expected to significantly alleviate the drinking water issues in Jaffna. Future plans include the development of the Paliaru Reservoir to supply water to the Pooneryn area. The “River for Jaffna” programme, once fully implemented, alongside the desalination plant, aims to completely resolve the region’s water problems and restore the Vadamarachchi area to its former lush state.
To manage costs, the government plans to reduce expenses through solar energy projects and introduce Drip Irrigation Systems to promote modern agriculture. Additionally, efforts will be made to renovate the port of Kankesanthurai in collaboration with India, establish an investment zone at the former cement factory site, and develop Palali to boost tourism. The area’s potential for wind and solar energy production is expected to generate substantial income, contributing to Jaffna’s transformation into a developed region within the next 5-10 years.
President Wickremesinghe also noted that the provincial council has the capacity to establish universities in Jaffna, and urged unity in development efforts as the region moves beyond its war-torn past.
