The ONUR has, in addition to the construction of the cisterns, given training for the beneficiaries on how to utilize harvested rain water, while maintaining the Rainwater Harvesting Tanks for durability. NewsRainwater Harvesting tanks built in Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) will be handed overto beneficiaries on August 11th and 12th by the Chairperson, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Given the high demand for these tanks, it is planning to implement an expanded project to construct 3000 more units in Jaffna district with the assistance of the Indian Government. Harvesting Rainwater is considered as a sustainable development initiative where cisterns are being built in Jaffna andKilinochchi Districts as a means to minimize the hardships due to lack of clean water in most areas caused by pollution, extraction of excessive groundwater for agriculture and contamination of water. This project will give the communities the ability to use these water resources for at least 4-6 months for drinking, cooking and basic washing purposes, depending on the size of the families.

Source: Sunday Times August 10, 2016 08:37 UTC