HNB project to provide safe water

HNB's safe drinking water and sanitation program was extended to Norochcholai, a village in the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha area in the Puttalam District. About 600 people from 100 families living around the Norachcholai Economic Centre lacked access to a safe source of water. The only water available was salty and metallic. The plight of these villagers was brought to the notice of the Bank by the HNB Puttalam team and the project was undertaken as part of HNB's community development initiative.

With the support of the local authorities, HNB was able to identify a safe water source. A new tank was constructed with a pump and pipes were laid out to supply water right upto the village. To increase the convenience of collecting water, 40 taps have been set up approximately 50 metres apart in the village.

The tank was formally handed over to the villagers on April 29 at a function held at the Norochcholai Economic Centre.

The Puttalam project was the fourth in a series of initiatives by the Bank following the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of providing safe drinking water. The first three projects under this scheme were launched in Siruthopu (a village in the Mannar District), Araly (a village in the Jaffna District) and Gonewa (a village in the Anuradhapura District)

The HNB Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Project is initiated with the guidance of Deputy General Manager - HR and Administration J. R. P. M. Paiva, who is heading the CSR initiative of the bank to provide safe drinking water.

The Hatton National Bank plans to initiate similar projects in Vakarai and Kataragama in the near future.

Picture shows - Deputy General Manager -HR and Administration J. R. P. M. Paiva at the launch of the Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Project in Kalpitiya. Chief Manager - North Western Region R. B. Warnakulasuriya and Minister, NWP M. H. M. Milhaj looks on.