India fast tracks construction of sanitation units in Batticaloa

USD 600 mn grants among USD 5 bn development assistance

India has launched a grant project to provide over 1,000 sanitation units/toilets for the people of the Batticaloa district. The Batticaloa project is among over 20 grant projects that are at various stages of implementation.

The Indian High Commission spokesperson in Colombo said that a Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting on construction of sanitation units/toilets in the Batticaloa District was convened on Monday (5) under the co-chairmanship of Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob and Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.

The meeting was held in hybrid format with participation of District Secretariat, Batticaloa and other relevant stakeholders.

The official said: “Construction of sanitation units in Batticaloa is being undertaken as a grant project by Government of India. The PSC meeting focused on the revision of modalities for fast-tracking the construction of over a thousand sanitation units in Batticaloa District to enhance the public health conditions of the people in the region. This project is a reflection of India’s continued commitment to carry out human-centric projects in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

The official added: “India’s overall development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at more than USD 5 billion with nearly USD 600 million being grants. Close to 65 grant projects have already been carried out across the 25 districts of the country. Currently, over 20 grant projects are at various stages of implementation. Indian Housing Project and 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service are among the flagship grant projects implemented by India in Sri Lanka.”