Rotary Club of Colombo provides clean water to battle CKDu
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In some parts of Sri Lanka, people face a severe lack of drinking water, causing much hardship. Some of these villagers are also falling victim to Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu).
CKDu has affected around 20,000 people and claims the lives of around 2,000 people annually, according to the Presidential Task Force established to tackle this problem.
It is in this backdrop that the Rotary Club of Colombo initiated a programme to raise funds to provide clean water by installing the necessary infrastructure in affected areas in most rural parts of the country, with support from the Rotary Clubs in the United States of America (USA) and Japan and also Rotary International.
Thirty such plants have been installed at a cost of more than Rs. 45 million, with the beneficiaries being involved from the start to ensure sustainability.
Seven of these plants were commissioned recently in Bellaganwewa (Girandurukotte), Pihitiwewa (Dimbulugalla), Kandakaduwa (Welikanda), Maha Ambagaswewa (Medirigiriya), Mailankulama (Padaviya), Vanni Pallugollewa (Parasangaswewa) and Sri Vajirarama Temple (Nochchiyagama), with the participation of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Ohio, USA, senior Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Colombo and village leaders.
Rotarian Mohammed Abidally said that these projects have brought much relief to affected villagers. “We must do more to help those affected,” he added.
Formed in 1968, the Rotary Club of Colombo is the first club in the country and has over 100 members.