China Sri Lanka joint research centre marks 10 years
View(s):The 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology at the University of Peradeniya was marked recently.
A memorandum of understanding was signed for the next five years.
An act is to be introduced in Parliament on a National Water Policy for Sri Lanka and to legalise the Joint Research and Demonstration Centre.
Ministry of Urban Development Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne said the Act would guide the sustainable management and governance of water resources in the country.
He said the centre has played a vital role in supporting efforts to prevent chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, a critical public health challenge in Sri Lanka.
Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong paid tribute to friends who have supported and participated in the China-Sri Lanka cooperation in waste technology.
He said that 10 years ago the governments of China and Sri Lanka decided to establish a joint centre to trace the causes of the chronic Kidney disease of unknown origin and ensure safe drinking water.
China has also assisted in the construction of the Kandy North-Pathadumbara Integrated Water Supply Project and the national Nephrology specialised hospital at Polonnaruwa.
The two-day seminar saw academics address invitees, includingVice Chancellor Prof Terrence Madhujith, founding Director of the JRDC Dr S K Weragoda, present Director Dr (Ms) Madhubhashini Makewela, Deputy Director from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhan Xiangjiang, Deputy Director of the ANSO Secretariat Shizhuan Zhang and a number of academics from China and Sri Lanka.
Former Vice Chancellor Professor Upul B Dissanayake contributed to the creation of the centre. At the time, there were protests that there would be an environmental impact due to the cutting of trees to construct the centre.
Prof Dissanayake who is on sabbatical leave took time to enlarge on the story; He said that within the ambit of the university legislation and that of its Council and the Senate he decided to allow the construction of this much needed centre essential to the health of the people suffering from water contamination and Chronic Kidney Disease.
His move, he said, coincided with the MoU signed in China during the official visit of former President Maithripala Sirisena to China and meeting the Chinese President and seeking his help for the research centre.
Therefore realising the need for such research for the welfare of the people in this country he took the decision for what is now a Rs 9 billion project between China and Sri Lanka.
This centre would not only cater to Sri Lanka but to other Asian countries which have drinking water issues.
The first founding Director of the Centre was Dr D Weragoda, who has since retired.
- L B Senaratne
HitAd.lk is the best and biggest mobile phone market in Sri Lanka, and we guarantee you will find what you need here from our extensive listing of mobile phones for sale in Sri Lanka. Whether it’s a budget-priced smartphone for communication, or higher end features with advanced connectivity, there are many different options from which to choose from on our site!