China starts construction on $230m water supply project in Sri Lanka

China has started construction works on a $230m water supply project in Sri Lanka, which is reportedly the largest of its kind for the island country.

Planned to be carried out by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) in co-ordination with the Sri Lankan Government, the project will involve laying down of 1,000km of water pipes.

As part of the venture, CMEC will set up a water treatment plant with daily supply capacity of 54,000m³ and a new water intake system with daily capacity of 85,000m³, reports the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The Sri Lankan Government has offered $20m for the project, which is eventually likely to offer clean potable water for 600,000 residents across 42 local villages in the country.

Sri Lanka’s Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa inaugurated the project at Mahara town, which is around 19.6km from the national capital Colombo.

Rajapaksa was cited by PTI as saying: "We are doing this for the community.

"It’s a very important project and we are grateful for the Chinese Government for supporting us in this.

"This is something that has great social worth."

Topographic survey and soil investigation for the plant was completed in June this year, with the site clearing concluded in November.