Filters worth Rs. 3.8 m for families in NCP

Brandix Lanka Ltd. and Deutsche Bank AG will jointly fund the purchase of 2200 filters valued at Rs 3.8 million for families exposed to the threat of chronic kidney and water-borne diseases in the North Central Province.

The project to be implemented by the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSSP) of the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development will cover the distribution of filters that remove pathogens and harmful minerals such as fluoride from the drinking water in selected areas, the training of recipients in the correct use of the filters and arrangements for their maintenance.

Deutsche Bank's contribution is Rs. 2 million while the balance will be borne by Brandix. The project will be executed by a network of village-level Community Based Organisations (CBOs) built by the CWSSP over the past 15 years in districts prone to water-borne diseases.

The Bank's CEO, Rohan Rodrigo said, "We are aware that there is a high incidence of chronic renal failure and other water-borne diseases attributed to the high levels of fluoride in the water in parts of the North Central Province and the North Western Province.

Brandix has done some excellent work to help communities tackle this problem and Deutsche Bank is pleased to support this project and work with Brandix to improve the quality of life of people in affected areas."

Head of CSR Brandix Anusha Alles said, "A strong and caring partner like Deutsche Bank will generate greater interest in our own community projects conducted under the theme 'Water is Life.'

This partnership could be the start to many good projects and be a precedent for more partnerships among corporate entities for projects that result in tangible and meaningful interventions in poor rural communities."

Speaking on behalf of the CWSSP, Consultant, U. Sapukotuna said the Brandix-Deutsche Bank Water Purification Project would directly benefit families chosen on the basis of their exposure to water-borne diseases.

The community-based organisations of the CWSSP had, with the assistance of medical practitioners, identified people most affected, he said, adding that priority had been given to families where at least one member had already developed renal problems due to bad drinking water.