(UDHAYAM, MANNAR) – The boundary delimitation of Pradeshiya Sabhas in Mannar District heavily discriminated its populace-and speedy resettlement of District’s Internally Displaced People (IDPs) the need of the hour.
“I believe that the Prime Minister will be able to help people of Mannar District to resolve this boundary issue” said Vanni District Parliamentarian and Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on the afternoon of Saturday (08) in Mannar. Minister Bathiudeen, joined by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Rauff Hakeem was addressing the launch of Mannar Water Supply Scheme constructed with the financial support of Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project phase launched on July 08 cost Rs. 2.2 billion.
“The helpless IDPs in Mannar District continue to suffer. They lack even the basic facilities and they do not have human dignity. Today I plead visiting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resolve and help end the suffering of IDPs of Manna District. I am confident of his support” said Minister Bathiudeen, and added, “We have a serious problem of Pradeshiya Sabha delimitation as well. The number of elected Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) members for Mannar District is decided based on the 2012 population census. The PS boundaries for the District have been drawn based on the census and as a result, voters of Mannar District have been heavily discriminated. I believe that the Prime Minister will be able to help people of Mannar District to resolve this boundary issue too. Water and electricity supply have been a longstanding issue for this District. The Asian Development Bank assisted water supply project has faced challenges in Vavuniya but the same project implemented in Mannar has become successful. I thank you Prime Minister and the Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Rauff Hakeem for helping us to make this project a success. 12,000 water connections have been provided by this project at this stage and can provide 4,000 more connections. The entire District will be benefited in the second phase which will supply water from Kallar to Madhu. The District-wide project is estimated at Rs 19 billion. 35,000 families will benefit from this. Therefore the water problem of the entire Mannar District will be solved.”
The Mannar Water Supply project brings 24-hour uninterrupted water supply to Mannar. It is implement by the City Planning and Water Supply Ministry together with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The project will provide drinking water to about 60,000 people in the District.
