Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development and Panchyati Raj, Government of India is visiting Sri Lanka to represent India in the fourth South Asia Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) on the theme “Sanitation Enhances Quality of Life” being held from 4-7 April, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

At the inauguration session of the Conference, the Chairmanship of the SACOSAN was handed over to Sri Lanka by India, which had successfully hosted the third SACOSAN in New Delhi in 2008. In his address at the inaugural session, Hon’ble Minister highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the Government of India according top priority to Sanitation in both urban and rural areas at the National, State and Local Government levels.  He highlighted the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), a demand driven integrated National Programme on Sanitation launched by Government of India in 1999 along with other initiatives such as, Indira and Rajiv Awas Yojana to achieve internationally agreed sanitation targets and housing for all.  He also highlighted the National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) launched in October, 2010 which envisions that all Indian cities and towns to become totally sanitized, healthy and liveable ensuring good public health and environmental outcomes for all their citizens with a special focus on hygienic and affordable sanitation facilities for the urban poor and women.

During the visit Hon’ble Minister called on Hon’ble D.M. Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and met Mr. Athauda Seneviratne, Senior Minister for Rural Affairs and Mr. Dinesh Goonewardena, Minister for Water Supply and Drainage. During the call on the Prime Minister, Hon’ble Minister complimented the Cricket team of Sri Lanka for their effort in the ICC Cricket World Cup Final. The various developmental initiatives by Government of India for rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs in Northern and Eastern in Sri Lanka were also discussed and the Prime Minister was appreciative of the various initiatives undertaken by India in this regard.

During his meetings with Senior Minister for Rural Affairs and Minister for Water Supply and Drainage, the discussions focused on the working of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Rural Housing Schemes in India, India’s experience in use of solar and wind energy, rain water harvesting, water quality testing kits, etc. Hon’ble Minister also offered India’s assistance in the form of training and capacity building in the field of Rural Development. Both sides also agreed to facilitate visit of officials from Sri Lanka to meet manufacturers of solar micro chips and Water quality testing kits.

SACOSAN is held biennially and on a rotation basis provides a platform for the South Asian Countries to close the gap between international goals and outcomes and promote and accelerate sanitation coverage in the South Asian region.

Colombo