“It was a pleasure to witness the ceremony. Although the project has overcome many challenges to become a reality. After visiting the nearby villages and seeing how families once depended on wells and tanks for water, I truly appreciate what this means for the local community.
Wishing everyone good health and a better future.”
The inauguration ceremony of the Thambuttegama Water Supply Project, undertaken by China Geo-Engineering Corporation Sri Lanka Branch (CGC Sri Lanka Branch), was held at 13:30 local time in Sri Lanka on July 10.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka; Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, together with his spouse; Susil Ranasinghe, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply of Sri Lanka; Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development of Sri Lanka, as well as local government officials attended the ceremony.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Minister Susil Ranasinghe and Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe jointly unveiled the plaque marking the completion and commissioning of the project.
In his address, Minister Susil Ranasinghe extended warm congratulations on the successful completion and operation of the scheme. He spoke highly of CGC Sri Lanka Branch for honoring contractual obligations amid Sri Lanka’s difficult times to deliver the project smoothly, commending the sense of responsibility demonstrated by Chinese enterprises. The minister also thanked China for its long-standing support for the development of Sri Lanka’s water supply sector.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong urged CGC Sri Lanka Branch to earnestly carry out follow-up management and operational support for the project, ensure its sustained, safe and stable operation, and maximize the benefits of this livelihood-focused infrastructure.
As a key Belt and Road Initiative joint project between China and Sri Lanka, the Thambuttegama Water Supply Project was handed over upon completion on June 30, finishing construction 40 days ahead of schedule.
During construction, the project introduced complete sets of Chinese technologies and mature experience, adopting advanced water supply processes, China-manufactured water treatment machinery, electromechanical equipment and automatic control systems. Construction was implemented in strict accordance with high standards and quality requirements, effectively lifting operational efficiency and safety standards of the water supply network.
Meanwhile, the project department adhered to localized development principles, generating more than 1,000 local jobs. Upon commissioning, the project will further upgrade domestic water access for residents, strengthen regional water supply capacity, provide safer, steadier and more reliable drinking water to over 90,000 local inhabitants, and play a vital role in boosting regional economic growth and improving people’s wellbeing.