Dec 03, Colombo: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted funds to upgrade neglected and overstretched water and sanitation systems in Northern and Northwestern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

ADB is providing a 32-year loan of $59.78 million and a grant of $23.22 million from the Asian Development Fund for the Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project which will rehabilitate and expand water and sanitation services in the towns of Chilaw, Mannar, Puttalam, and Vavuniya, the ADB announced yesterday.

In addition, the Netherlands Trust Fund for the Water Financing Partnership Facility will provide a $2 million grant in co financing. The Government of Sri Lanka will extend the equivalent of $28.33 million for a total project cost of $113.33 million.

“By improving access to safe water and sanitation, the project will improve the lives of thousands and help decrease poverty levels as it will reduce medical expenditure and lower the number of work days lost from sickness. It will also help reduce the time women and children currently spend collecting water, providing increased scope for more productive activities,” said Tatiana Gallego-Lizon, Urban Development Specialist with ADB’s South Asia Department.

The project, expected to be completed in 2013, will provide water supply to households for approximately 200,000 residents in these four towns and improve sanitation for around 100,000 people within the target areas.

ADB hopes the project will also provide opportunities for members of the target communities to participate in the decision-making process and management of resources.

“The project constitutes an opportunity to support the reconciliation process by bringing communities together to assist in the rehabilitation and development of areas that have been affected by decades of conflict,” said Ms. Gallego-Lizon.