In August 2000, a newly built Water Tower at Miriswatta, having a capacity of 2,200 cu ft., was commissioned. This water supply scheme distributed pipe borne drinking water to Piliyandala, Suwarapola, Siddhamulla, Pelanwatta, and a part of Kesbewa, up to the Kesbewa CTB Depot, on the Horana Road. It left out people of Kondurawa, Janasakthi Pura, Halpita Watta and Halpita along the Horana Road, just a short distance of one & half Kms from the Kesbewa CTB Depot

The sad story is that domestic wells in this area (Kondurawa, Janasakthi Pura, and Halpita Watta/Halpita etc) do go dry during the slightest drought. Wells are about 30-40 feet deep and contain little water even during rainy seasons due to the high elevation of the land.

People in this area are in need of a pipe borne water service very badly due to this shortage. There is another health hazard of well-water. Now that the lands have been divided into small plots of 8 perches, every 8p block has a house, water-well plus the drainage pit. There is a tendency for water wells to get contaminated due to the close proximity of sewerage pits.

People of this small left-out area are not asking for tap water on a 24 hour basis. "Give us water for 2 hrs in the night" is their humble request. Water could be released to this area in the night time (1 am to 3 am for two hours in the night, or any fixed time in the night) when the Miriswatte Water Tower is full or 1/2 full (if it can not be filled to the top due to leaks, as reported earlier - but now it appears to have been repaired). During night time people in other areas are not using the water. Water will be idling in the Tower during this period - if it is distributed, it will fill up before morning for the day time distribution.

The only cost factor would be the extending/laying of the main pipe line for another 1-1/2 Km from the Kesbewa CTB Depot to Elembuwala Culvert at Polgasowita junction, (Border of Kesbewa PS) along the Horana Road. (Only a short span of 7 bus halts.)

Our new proposal will cost only the barest minimum for the laying of the pipes for the 6 bus-halts distance along the Horana Road. It will generate more income for the water board as unused/idling water in the Miriswatte Tower (night time collection) could be sold to the people of this area, by releasing it in the night. It will be a quick solution to the water problem in this area.

Over to you Minister and Chairman Piliyandala UC!