1 August 2017 12:01 am Views - 1811
Puritas Sath Diyawara endeavour has extended its clean drinking water project with two more Reverse Osmosis plants.
One plant was recently installed in Meegassegama, Thalawa, sponsored by Alumex PLC and the second plant was installed in Pahala Kedithokkuwa, Nochchiyagama, sponsored by Hayleys Agriculture.
In addition to the RO Plant, a mixed cultivation of fruits and moringa was also initiated with the expertise of Hayleys Agriculture, in the one-acre land owned by the CBO (Community Based Organization) of Pahala Kedithokkuwa.
These projects are the second villages which both Alumex and Hayleys Agriculture have committed to, thereby further strengthening their long-term pledge to this cause.
Speaking at the event, Alumex PLC Managing Director Rohan Peris commented, “This is the second Sath Diyawara village which we have adopted. As part of the Hayleys Group, we strongly believe in how Puritas Sath Diyawara has benefitted these marginalized people, and we have seen firsthand, how providing clean drinking water to CKD afflicted areas has resulted in reduction and reversal of the illness. This encourages us to continue investing in this cause to save more affected lives as well as the lives at risk.”
Addressing the gathering, Hayleys Agriculture Deputy MD Jayanthi Dharmasena stated that Hayleys Agriculture is committed to uplifting rural livelihoods of the community, and that this initiative is an extension of their holistic CSR strategy. Hayleys Agriculture Managing Director Rizvi Zaheed commenting on the project stated: “While this is the second RO plant which we have commissioned, we have also added to the initiative by supporting the livelihood of the villagers by sharing our expertise and knowledge on agricultural best practices to support them with the cultivation of fruits and moringa on an acre of land. We will continue to support Sath Diyawara which is our group’s flagship CSR project.”
The village of Meegassegama in Thalawa, is home to 2500 people with 76 confirmed CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) patients. While Pahala Kedithokkuwa in Nochchiyagama with a resident population of over 2,097 has 60 CKD patients. Both villages face one common problem – lack of clean drinking water and a growing number of people suffering from CKD of which collectively over 200 cases are under investigation for suspected CKD.
Each village was fitted with a centralized water treatment plant, including a plant house, an RO treatment system with a capacity of 10,000 liters a day and water storage cum distribution tower. Also a water distribution and delivery mechanism consisting of two wheeler tractor pulled bowser (of 1,000 liters) and 10 docking stations of 1,000 liters each. Elaborating further, Haycarb and Puritas Managing Director Rajitha Kariyawasan added, “Since 2014, Sath Diyawara has grown to become a highly sustainable and long-term endeavour which has reaped very clear results. We now provide over 30,000 people with 130,000 litres of drinking water a day. Our single-minded focus lies in eradicating CKD. But we are also consciously supporting these villagers whose grim conditions are exacerbated not only by this debilitating illness but also by drought, dry arid conditions and harsh weather, including floods, which deny them of basic access to drinking water, for day to day survival.”
Speaking on the initiative the Community Based Organisation (CBO) Secretary of Meegassegama, Thalawa, Wijerathne commented. “This gift of life which we have received today signifies a renewed hope for our future. While CKD is a huge concern with more and more CKD patients being diagnosed in our villages, we have also suffered through the severe lack of quality drinking water. We have to travel miles and miles to collect water, which to most is just a basic amenity, but to us is a luxury which we only dreamed of.” Wijerathne is a disabled soldier who lost his leg in the war. He continues his service to the country even after being disabled, as the Secretary of the CBO, which is done on a voluntary basis without any remuneration. The Hayleys Group is humbled to be able to lighten the burden of this hero and his fellow villagers.