Navy reaches 1000th milestone: new RO plant declared open at Sri Sumana Vidyalaya in Palukadawala

The Sri Lanka Navy achieved a significant milestone in its Naval Social Responsibility (NSR) efforts with the opening of its 1,000th Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant at Sri Sumana Vidyalaya in Palukadawala, Galgamuwa today (05th June 2024). The opening of the new facility was held under the auspices of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and the Chairman of National Lotteries Board, Dr. Chameera C. Yapa Abeywardena. This project was successfully completed as a result of the Navy's technical expertise and funding from the National Lotteries Board. The Navy's Research and Development Unit is implementing this magnanimous initiative with a view to provide safe drinking water to various areas across the island, addressing the public's needs.

The Navy' RO plant installation project, initiated in 2015, has been acknowledged as a crucial national initiative aimed at eradicating the kidney disease plaguing communities in certain areas of the country. Later, a Presidential Task Force was established to implement this project, and in 2019, the responsibility was transferred to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine. Since then, the Navy has consistently advanced the project of installing RO plants

In his address to those assembled, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera reflected on the inception of this project back in 2015, initiated by the Navy Research and Development Unit with the guidance of the then Navy Chief, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne. Adding more, he expressed satisfaction that naval personnel have successfully extended the technical expertise of the Navy up to the installation of the one-thousandth (1000th) RO plant. He also expressed that due to the significant impact of this project in fulfilling the safe drinking water requirements of the populace, it will be continued, with gratitude extended to all supporting parties.

The project began in 2015 with the installation of the first Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant in the Kadawath Rambewa area within the Medawachchiya Divisional Secretariat. Since the inception of this project, a total of 1,000 water treatment facilities have been installed, with 161 in the Northern Province, 340 in the North Central Province, 149 in the Northwestern Province, 54 in the Central Province, 10 in the Western Province, 13 in the Sabaragamuwa Province, 22 in the Southern Province, 155 in the Uva Province, 92 in the Eastern Province, and 4 units on major vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy.

In 2017, the Navy initiated the development of medical-grade RO plants specifically designed for the dialysis treatment of kidney patients. To date, 26 medical-grade RO plants have been installed across 25 government hospitals. The Navy remains committed to repairing and maintaining all RO plants they have installed, including the medical-grade systems. The Navy's high-quality, cost-effective RO plants significantly enhance access to clean drinking water for communities across the island. For the continuation of this NSR project, numerous individuals, groups, and corporations have provided significant support to the Navy, enabling them to extend the project's benefits to the public.

In a similar vein, the newly inaugurated facility will supply safe drinking water to both the students of Sri Sumana Vidyalaya in Palukadawala and the residents of the neighboring villages.

Members of venerable Maha Sangha, the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Mala Lamahewa, Commander Northwestern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Nalindra Jayasinghe, Naval Assistant to the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya, officers, officials from the National Lotteries Board, government officials from the area, the Principal, staff and children of Sri Sumana Vidyalaya as well as residents of the area were present on this occasion.