The Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka and the Maldives will celebrate World Water Day tomorrow (Mar. 22) in collaboration with the Sewa Lanka Foundation, Mannar Office and the Zonal Education Department of Madhu will carry out several activities, such as a drawing competition and an environmental awareness programme for students in the, Manthai West DS Division in the Mannar district, a news release issued by the EU Delegation said.

The aim of the project is to promote awareness among school children on the importance of the conservation of water,’’ it explained.

The project will target approximately 1,800 students from 11 schools in the Manthai West DS Division. The participating students are mainly children displaced by the conflict and have now been resettled.

Earlier this month, school children from grades 6-13 (age group 11-18 years) took part in an art competition under the theme of water conservation. A committee comprising of education officers will select 250 drawings for a final art exhibition to be held on March 22 at the Adampan M.M.V.

Additionally, some 300 students will attend an environmental awareness programme tomorrow which will include a series of interactive lectures on conservation, biodiversity and highlight the importance of water resources and conservation.

``This programme aims to increase awareness among school children with the assistance of their teachers and motivate students to initiate steps toward conserving water resources and imparting the knowledge received among their peers and family members,’’ the release said.

A special awards ceremony will be followed by the environmental awareness programme on Monday at the Adampan School after the opening of the art exhibition to award the winners of the drawing competition. The competition winners from three categories (age groups 11 – 13, 14 – 16 & 17 – 18 years) for first, second and third places will be selected and awarded prizes.

This event will be attended by Mr Guy Platton, Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives as chief guest as well as the Government Agent, Mannar, Zonal Director of Education and Madhu Zonal Education Officers.

This project is fully funded by the European Union.