India and Sri Lanka today signed an MoU to construct 3000 rain water harvesting systems at a cost of SLR 300 million in Jaffna District. The MoU was signed by Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Acting High Commissioner of India and Mr. V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation in the presence of Hon.A. H. M. Fowzie, State Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation.

The project envisages construction of 3000 rainwater harvesting systems for 3000 households in selected divisions of Jaffna District. The scope of the project also includes training of the households on operation and maintenance of the systems. Beneficiaries will be identified by Government of Sri Lanka in consultation with the Government of India. The selected beneficiaries would include women headed families and recently resettled families.

This grant project was approved by Government of India in response to a request received from the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation of Government of Sri Lanka. The project aims to assist people by supporting resettlement efforts focused on reintegrating internally displaced families in Jaffna by providing modern rain water harvesting systems to provide clean drinking water supply facility to households. The project will generate employment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Colombo
January 13, 2017