As a joint activity with Hatton National Bank under their CSR activities, SLWP launched a programme for building Rain Water Harvesting Tanks and for four selected schools in Aranayake. The construction is preceded by awareness programme on RWH and Water Quality, and Programme on facility maintenance A RA survey was conducted and construction of the rain water harvesting tanks have been instituted and due to be completed for handing over targeting the World Water Day. Currently construction of the four tanks have been completed and handing over the ceremony is scheduled for World Water Day on 22nd March. The 4 Parent /teacher associations of these schools and Lions Club Pilimatalawa are jointly supervising local construction while the NWSDB is providing the technical expertise. Value of contract signed with HNB is Euro 8500/-.
- SLWP / HNB Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Systems Programme – Phase I Work Progress
- SLWP / HNB Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Systems Programme – Phase I Final Report
- SLWP / HNB Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Systems Programme – Phase II Final Report
- SLWP / HNB Tea Landscape Programme Final Report
Handing over of Rain Water Harvesting Tanks (Phase I)
This Programme was organized by Sri Lanka Water Partnership, NetWwater and Lions Club of Pilimathalawa in collaboration with Hatton National Bank PLC where four schools were selected in the Aranayake educational zone for construction of Rain Water Harvesting Tanks (RWH). The Programme consisted of building four 5000L Rain Water Harvesting Tanks where the collected water will be used for toilets and conduct awareness programmes for the school children and teachers on how to manage the system, the climate change and the importance of managing water resources. Constructions were completed by end of February and the handing over of the RWH tanks was held on 14th March commemorating the World Water Day 2017. Representatives from Hatton National Bank and the Lions Club of Pilimathalawa, Ma Oya Kuda Oya Surekime Sanwidhanaya, NWSDB and NBRO participated the event.
SLWP – HNB World Water Day Activity in Aranayake
HNB Phase I World Water Day (WWD) programme in Aranayake was held at Rajagiriya MV on 7th April. All local partners were present at this event at which prizes were awarded to students in the essay and art competitions. There were 55 participants including Chair SLWP, RC Member/Activity Leader and Country Coordinator. Representatives from Maha Oya AWP, Chair Lions Club Pilimatalawe and the CSR Coordinator of HNB and HNB Regional Manager too attended this event. The event was followed by an inspection tour of the RWH tanks. Progress resulted in HNB deciding to expand programme with a Phase 2 with a TEC of 2.4 M of which SLWP will contribute 0.4 M.
Citizen science for empowering Youth as DRR Monitors in Ma Oya Upper Catchment (SLWP_HNB Programme)
The landslide threat is imminent in Aranayake with 62 of the 64 GN divisions are designated as being landslide prone. Therefore the HNB/SLWP Disaster risk reduction program ( phase 1) is actively seeking to build up local resilience capacity through educating youth groups as a conduit to support DRR on the catchment . After mobilizing youth groups a sensitization program was held in Lakmini Hall, Gavilipitiya on the 24th June 2017. 98 persons including older village leaders attended this activity. YWCA youth groups from Mawanella and Rambukkana (mid Ma Oya communities ) too were invited to attend .
Mr Gamini Atampawela President Ma Oya Kuda Oya Surekime Sanvidanaya gave the welcome address. Ms Kusum Athukorala SLWP spkeon the SLWP support for Young water professionals and youth programs. The first session of this learning activity involved the NBRO who gave an up to date assessment of the disaster situation in Aranayake with emphasis on the need for mitigation in medium risk sites. Dr R M Vijeratne, SLFI led a session on Sustaining life and health – leadership for youth in disaster situations- Mr Ravi Peiris NetWwater spoke on using Social media and Technology tools for networking for young environmental monitors and Mr Chandana Seneviratne presented on Project proposal formulation for youth groups. Group work was carried out to identify and formulate small scale projects ideas which could be operationalized by youth groups.
SLWP HNB Programme (Phase II)
The 2nd Phase of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programme undertaken by SLWP and Hatton National Bank in Aranayake is being implemented on schedule along with the final activities under Phase 1. An Assessment Survey to identify 6 candidate schools/communities for installing of 6 Rainwater Harvesting Systems is complete and site selection, Purchase of 5000 litre Anton PVC water tanks has been made and construction of the bases for the RWH tanks underway . Programme will conclude in November with the final activity under Phase1 also timed for November 2017. A grant of Rs 2.0 Million was made available by HNB for Phase 1 while the estimated Rs 2.4 Million cost of Phase 2 is met by a further grant of Rs 2.0 Million by HNB with SLWP meeting the balance cost of Rs 0.4 Million .