The Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association (SLFSA) has handed over funds to the Sri Lanka Navy for the installation of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification plant in Palagala, Anuradhapura, which is expected to provide safe drinking water to more than 1,750 people.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the cheque was handed over to Sri Lanka Navy Director General (Services) Rear Admiral H. I. A. Gunawardena by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and SLFSA members at a ceremony held at the Ministry on Monday (26).
The water purification plant, to be installed by the Sri Lanka Navy for the Thushara Funeral Aid Society in Palagala, is expected to benefit approximately 406 families.
The Ministry noted that Anuradhapura is among the districts most affected by Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), highlighting the importance of providing access to safe drinking water.
The project was funded through contributions from members of the Diplomatic Corps, Anjuman E Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust Vice President Khuzaimah Jafferjee and CHEC Port City Colombo (Private) Limited.
The contributions had initially been made in support of the Annual Diplomatic Bazaar and Cultural Extravaganza, which could not be held as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Meanwhile, at the same ceremony, SLFSA President Anzul Jhan handed over a cheque worth Rs. 1 million to representatives of the Palagathurai Village Development Society for the modernisation of Kattuwa Railway Station in Negombo.
The funds, contributed by SLFSA members, will support a community-led initiative spearheaded by the Kattuwa Railway Family committee to improve facilities for local and foreign passengers.
The planned improvements include renovating sanitary facilities, repainting the station premises, providing drinking water and improving the station’s overall appearance.
The Palagathurai Village Development Society will oversee the implementation of the project, which forms part of the government’s broader initiative to upgrade railway infrastructure.
The ceremony was attended by Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dewi Gustina Tobing, senior Navy officers, Health Ministry representatives, officials of the Foreign Ministry and members of the SLFSA. (Newswire)