Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the Northern Anuradhapura Water Supply Project Phase II

On 10 July 2026, Mr. KAMOSHIDA Naoaki, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Northern Anuradhapura Water Supply Project Phase II, which was held in the esteemed presence of  H.E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Hon. Susil Ranasinghe, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Hon. Wasantha Jinadasa, Governor of the North Central Province and Mr. KURONUMA Kenji, Chief Representative of the JICA Sri Lanka Office.
 

This project is funded by a concessional loan from Japan worth approximately JPY 23 billion (equivalent to approximately USD 143 million at the current exchange rate). It aims to provide a stable supply of safe drinking water to approximately 67,000 households in the Anuradhapura District, where communities have long suffered from chronic fluorosis and kidney disease. With the completion of this Phase 2, the project will collectively deliver safe water access to over 75,000 households when combined with the already-completed Phase 1. This project will also provide an essential foundation for agricultural and industrial development in the region while contributing to an improved quality of life for local residents.

In his remarks, Mr. KAMOSHIDA expressed his heartfelt congratulations on the foundation stone laying of this important project. He also conveyed his deep appreciation to H.E. President Dissanayake for gracing the occasion and to all those involved in the implementation of the project for their tireless efforts to achieve this milestone despite unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka's economic crisis.
 
He further emphasised that this Project carries symbolic significance for Sri Lanka's recovery from the recent economic crisis and that Japan continues to be a steadfast partner in promoting development and improving people's standard of living in the country.