Bogawantalawa Tea Estates focuses on water projects

Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC intensified its water access project last year to reach 500 families, as part of its continuing commitment to enhance the quality of life of employees attached to the estates.

The company has cooperated with World Vision to embark on a water-related initiative at Bogawana, one of its 11 tea estates.

The Rs. 22 million project, partly funded by Bogawantalawa Tea Estates, will address many drinking water-related issues in Bogawana including dwindling water supplies during the dry season and conflicts among residents having to share water facilities.

It would see the laying of water lines, upgrading of water tanks and installation of water metres for each home and benefit 390 families, a school, a pre-school and a Child Development Centre.

Fulfilling the drinking water needs of its community, Norwood Estate, which also comes under the purview of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates, took the initiative to provide access to clean drinking water to 110 families, 500 schoolchildren and a Child Development Centre.

This was supported by Berendina Development Services and was also partly funded by the company.

The company also distributed water filters and heaters among children of its Child Development Centres of Poyston Estate, to provide the children access to safe drinking water.

"Despite financial constraints, many Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) have been steadfast in its commitment to improve the livelihoods of workers in their estates and their children," Bogawantalawa Tea Estates, CEO, Jayampathy Molligoda said. Bogawantalawa Tea Estates provides a drinking supplement such as milk, malted energy drinks and porridge to all employees of its estates, while children are provided with well-balanced breakfast and lunch at the estates' child development centres, as part of its nutritional agenda.