Singer donates water purification plant, distribution system to Ulukkulama village

Singer Sri Lanka PLC, the country’s leading brand of household and electrical appliances, in its latest contribution towards the eradication of chronic kidney disease (CKDu), donated a water purification plant to the rural village of Ulukkulama in the Anuradhapura District. 
The project was funded by Singer Sri Lanka at a cost of Rs.4 million and was jointly presented through technological expertise from Puritas (Pvt.) Ltd of the Hayleys group and under the guidance of the Water Board.
Singer had selected the CKD-affected village of Ulukkulama in collaboration with Puritas and has seen through the setup of a water purification plant or reverse osmosis plants as they are technically known, in the hope of providing the village residents of over 1600 inhabitants in Ulukkulama with quality portable water.
Singer Sri Lanka PLC Group CEO Asoka Pieris was present at the unveiling of the plant in Ulukkulama. Commenting on the occasion he said, “We have recognized the issue of CKDu that has affected part of our nation. We believe that this new reverse osmosis plant will help provide the people of this community with clean portable water and help those affected by this disease to recover from this adverse condition. We hope this project will enlighten other organisations to follow and continue to bring this facility to better the lives of people affected by CKDu.”
The newly constructed water purification plant and the distribution system consists of nine distribution points placed in selected locations in the village to serve residents to collect purified water conveniently. The purification plant can produce 10,000 litres of water per day and one litre is sold at just Rs.1 to a resident. All the proceeds will be contributed towards the maintenance of the plant and for any other developments required for the future.    
Many researches held in the recent past reveal the cause of CKDu being evident in consuming  unpurified water by villagers in and around the North Central Province. Sixty five individuals were known to have been diagnosed with CKDu symptoms out of 1600 resided in this village. Records had also shown that around 400,000 people living in and around the Anuradhapura District are directly being affected by CKDu. Figures have proved that 25,000 have already succumbed to the effects of CKDu which is present as a waterborne disease. 
After extensive analysis, tests had helped shape the fact that about 15 percent of those affected from CKDu could gradually recover if their water drinking habits change. As there has been a dire need for clean, fresh water in villages from these affected areas, Singer had come forth with the hope of providing a helping hand in order to further assist in swiftly eradicating CKDu 
in Sri Lanka.