No water, no classes in Kataragama schools
View(s):The Principals of Sellakataragama Maha Vidyalaya (MV) and Gothamigama Junior School say they cannot conduct lessons due to lack of water.
Sellakataragama MV Principal Chandradasa Hettige said there are about 1000 students and, as a solution to the drinking water problem in the school, the government constructed a tube well with RO technology, but there is no water for the toilets and teachers’ quarters, which seriously inconveniences the children and the teachers.
Gothamigama Junior School Principal M.R.Vidura said there is no pipe borne water in the school, for the toilets or washing of hands, although there are about 400 children in the school.
Meanwhile, villagers in the suburbs of Kataragama told the media they did not get water regularly for several months, although the Menik Ganga has sufficient water. Hambantota District Water Board Office Divisional Manager M. Kumaradasa told the media, “I have no right to speak to the media. It is only several months since I have come. But I would like to clarify this matter. There is a demand of 7,000-8,000 cubic meters of water per day, but only 4,200 cubic meters of water could be purified, as the Menik Ganga has become muddy. Mr Kumaradasa said his Head Office intends to start a new water supply scheme, using the water from the Veheragala reservoir, to overcome this shortfall.
- M.N. Piyaratne