Director of Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong Dr. CHUI Ho Kwong Samuel said that the Hong Kong Environment Protection Department (HKEPD) signed an MoU with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Central Environment Authority (CEA) through which professionals will be exchanged between the two countries to share the knowledge on total water management issues including waste water treatment.
He stated that the agreement will offer knowledge and skills in water treatment technology to Sri Lanka. “We bring the idea of how we can control the pollution and also how to tackle the climate change issues”, he added.
Speaking at the Awareness Workshop on Water Technology 2024 jointly hosted by Central Environment Authority, Joint Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Centre of Excellence for Water and Sanitation in Ratmalana on Tuesday (2), Dr. Samuel said Hong Kong has unique technology of using sea water for toilet flushing.
“Sri Lankan Government can use this technology effectively. This system has benefits of very low cost low energy consumption and it saves lot of potable water”, he said. Dr. Samuel stated that his department plans to introduce two models to Sri Lanka. He expressed hope that these models would provide training courses for Sri Lankan officials and scholars, enabling them to effectively control pollution.
Prof. Min Yang, from Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the CEA entered into an agreement with the Environment Protection Department, Hong Kong and Chinese Academy of Sciences to share the expertise in the water treatment and related areas with Sri Lanka.
He said that the Awareness Workshop on Water Technology is also part of this initiative. “This cooperation will help Sri Lanka to tap enormous expertise achieved by Hong Kong and China in this field to upgrade air and water quality of Sri Lanka. Prof. Ming Yang was of the view that this initiative will help Sri Lanka to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.
CEA Chairman Venura Fernando said that Sri Lanka has focused on the improvement of water streams. “We basically focus on our water stream”, he said. The CEA Chairman said that a five year programme was launched with a private organisation aiming at upgrading the quality of water.
“This project is also aimed at protecting water streams, he said. Fernando said most of the people in the country are depending on river to fulfill their water requirement, “Kelani river alone provides drinking water to over four million people. We are working to protect our water resources”, he added.
Venura Fernando said that numerous countries possess cutting-edge technology in this sector, and the CEA is collaborating with various international organisations to leverage these technological advancements for the country’s advantage. “China has provided assistance to Sri Lanka in several areas through the Belt and Road Initiative”, he added.
“China as a close friend of Sri Lanka is helping us tremendously to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Our officials visited Hong Kong last year and saw themselves the technological advancement achieved by her in this field. They want to have same technology in Sri Lanka”, he said.
Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology Director, S. K. Weragoda, emphasised that this workshop aims to educate officials on the utilisation of technology for safeguarding natural resources, such as the marine environment.
“We have extended invitations to representatives from the Environment Protection Department of Hong Kong, who possess extensive experience in environmental protection,” he said.
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