China-built project to benefit 70,000 people in Sri Lanka

More than 70,000 people will benefit from a China-built water supply and sewerage project in Sri Lanka’s Kurunegala, where people suffer from water pollution, lack of clean water and chronic kidney disease.

The inauguration ceremony for the Kurunegala water supply and sewerage project is held in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The project, located 70 km north of Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo, was constructed by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), a flagship enterprise under China National Machinery Industry Corporation Ltd (Sinomach). 

The sewage disposal plant can process 4,500 cubic meters of waste water per day while the newly built water plant and expansion project of the existing supply network can deal with 5,000 cubic meters.

The inauguration ceremony for the Kurunegala water supply and sewerage project is held in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The project provides about 71,000 local residents with a 24/7 water supply. And the effluent from the sewage disposal plant complies with international standards.

It is the first water supply and sewerage project of Sri Lanka and the first comprehensive water project outside Colombo in the country. It is also a fruit of China-Sri Lanka friendly cooperation. The underground water and lake water quality will also be greatly improved through the project's waste water treatment.

CMEC overcame difficulties in building the plants, such as drilling and blasting in a stone mountain, that had frightened off many potential foreign investors and partners.

CMEC started the construction in 2014 with a concessional loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.

Construction on another CMEC-built water plant project, the Attanagalla Water Plant, is currently in progress. It will be the largest single water plant in the country by far, providing clean water for 600,000 locals in 42 villages.

Guests attend the inauguration ceremony for the Kurunegala water supply and sewerage project in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)