LKIIRSS water resources report out this month

During the UN's International Year for Water Cooperation, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) staged an event regarding water resources in April. The topics discussed included scarcity, sustainability, energy, waste management, empowerment and health.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Athula Senarathne said, "Sri Lanka would never experience a 'day without water' because we have an enormous surplus."

He focused on water quality, linking hard water with cardiovascular and kidney problems and fluoride with tooth decay. He said there should be national purification standards to ensure safe drinking water.

Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Bird, warned that a 'day without water' could become a reality due to economic and political forces creating scarcity and therefore, opposing interests should be balanced while policy should be scientifically and socially based.

Dr. H. A. Dharmagunawardena of the University of Peradeniya, said that in Sri Lanka, ground water (which is 100 times more abundant than lake and stream water) has been polluted by agro-chemicals and waste.

The Executive Director of the Energy Forum, Asoka Abeygunawardana said hydropower was a cheaper solution for the 50 percent of Sri Lankans who live below the electricity poverty line.

Hydroelectricity has also created a conflict for water between Sri Lanka's energy needs and agricultural needs.

The conference report will be published this month.