A proposal made by Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, to Conservation of natural water resources in Sri Lanka can make a significant contribution to the Surakimu Ganga program.
Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed by the Ministry of Lands for the conservation and protection of water resources should be reactivated for this purpose.
Although the committee has been appointed, it is not functioning properly. Therefore, by reactivating the committee, a great deal of work can be done for the conservation and protection of water resources, he said.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that while addressing the Progress Review Meeting of the National Committee on Surakimu Ganga Program. The committee met under the chairmanship of Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera at the Central Environmental Authority on the 28th.
According to a census conducted by the Ministry of lands, 3540 natural water sources have been identified in the island. Among them 1544 are in Nuwara Eliya, 204 in Kandy, 319 in Kurunegala, 210 in Moneragala and 208 in Matale.
We also have about 14,000 lakes in the country, most of lakes which are located in the dry zone. The water required for agriculture as well as drinking water in our country is obtained from these water catchment areas. Therefore, it is a matter of 100 percent success with the support of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Conservation of these watersheds, he said.
This Inter-Ministerial Committee consists of 23 Institutions including the main Ministries.