Salination forces closure of Ruhuna University

by Rukshana Rizwie

A day after the Ruhuna University was closed owing to increased salination of drinking water around the premises, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that immediate measures were being taken to normalise the situation.

Chairman of the NWSDBK.Alahudeen Ansar told the Sunday Observer water has been restored to Horana, Bandaragama, Panadura, Mt. Lavinia, Moratuwa and Colombo South after it was disrupted for two days due to increase in salination from the Kalu Ganga intake.

"The situation around Matara is much worse. However, we are taking steps to supply residents with drinking water in bowsers," he said. "Due to the absence of rain and increased high-tide, the salinity of water has been high."

Academic activities at the Ruhuna University were temporarily suspended on Thursday afternoon due to the prevailing water crisis. A spokesman for the students' union of the Ruhuna University said several students had fallen ill after drinking water at their hostels.

"We have written to the Dean requesting him for drinking water in bowsers, but we are waiting to hear from them," Chathuranga, a member of the Union said.