STAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka have agreed to jointly utilize their expertise to address the critical issue of drinking water contamination and provision of clean drinking water to their people.
This understanding was developed during a recently held meeting between the Pakistani Minister of Water and Power Pakistan, Abid Sher Ali, and Sri Lankan Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawerdena in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, where the latter had attended the 2nd International Water Cooperation Conference.
Abid briefed the Sri Lankan minister the clean drinking water supply projects completed by the government of Pakistan through its High Commission in the eastern and north eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. He also conveyed the gratitude on behalf of the government of Punjab for the Sri Lankan support in Dengue eradication from Punjab province last year.
He invited the Sri Lankan Minister Dinesh Gunawerdena and his team to visit Pakistan, to explore ways and means to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries especially in the water treatment and solid waste management.
In another meeting, the Pakistani High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka also organized an interactive session for Abid Sher Ali with potential investors and local power generation companies in Colombo.
On the occasion, the minister briefed the participants about the prevailing situation in the power and energy sector of Pakistan and various steps taken by government to address energy needs of the country.