6 March 2025, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has provided the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council (MC) with a grant of USD 822,100 (LKR 246 million) through UN-Habitat to implement three major initiatives aimed at strengthening the socioeconomic resilience of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is provided to enhance essential services and improve the well-being of communities within the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council area. The selected initiatives will: Upgrade the community sewerage system in Srinagar settlement; Establish a water recycling facility at Lake Gregory; and improve and expand the water purification plant in Haddon Hill.

These initiatives will be implemented by UN-Habitat in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka as part of the larger USD 5.5 Million KOICA-funded project Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka. The interventions will directly address the fundamental needs of the community, aligning with institutional requests and consultations to uplift the living standards of the Nuwara Eliya residents.

The official Agreement of Cooperation for the three initiatives was presented to Mr. Bandara, Commissioner of the Nuwara Eliya MC by Mr. S.L. Anver Khan, Deputy Project Manager of UN-Habitat Sri Lanka office at the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, today. The event was graced by Ms. P.A.D. Damayanthi, Chief Accountant on behalf of Ms. R.A.D.T.N. Thennakoon, Government Agent/District Secretary, of Nuwara Eliya, as well as beneficiary communities, Municipal Council staff, and the UN-Habitat Sri Lanka field team.

Upgrading the community sewerage system in Srinagar settlement: Srinagar, an underserved settlement in Nuwara Eliya, currently operates an outdated, unprotected open sewerage drainage system. This has led to severe health and environmental hazards, including frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases and increased mosquito breeding sites, significantly impacting the residents’ wellbeing and quality of life. The project will upgrade and modernize the community sewerage system, thereby ensuring better sanitation management. This initiative will not only enhance public health but also improve the overall living conditions in Srinagar, providing residents with a safer and healthier environment.

Establishing a water recycling facility at Lake Gregory: As one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, Nuwara Eliya faces challenges in managing its water resources. Many residents use potable water for home gardening and agriculture, causing significant shortages during dry seasons. To address this, the project will establish a water recycling facility at Lake Gregory, enabling the systematic reuse of wastewater for home gardening and agriculture. This initiative will promote efficient water management, ensuring continuous availability of clean drinking water for both residents and tourists.

Improving and expanding the water purification plant in Haddon Hill: The current water purification system at Haddon Hill is facing challenges to meet the increasing demand for clean water in Nuwara Eliya. Through this project, the purification plant’s capacity and infrastructure will be significantly improved to ensure a reliable and efficient water supply. With the growing demand for potable water, this project will implement crucial upgrades to enhance water quality and expand access of clean water to Nuwara Eliya residents. The project will also establish two modern water testing laboratories – at the MC and the Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) premises in Nuwara Eliya to enable faster and more accurate water quality assessments.

All three interventions will not only address critical water and sanitation challenges but also contribute towards a healthier and more resilient Nuwara Eliya and enhance the city’s appeal as a sustainable tourist destination. All interventions are targeted for completion by August 2025.