Watawala Plantations and World Vision sign partnership agreement

Watawala Plantations PLC and World Vision Lanka (WVL) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement development activities in selected estates belonging to Watawala Plantations in the Nuwara Eliya District.

The agreement will pave the way for the implementation of various water, sanitation and hygiene programmes, as well as capacity building and empowerment programmes for estate communities to enhance their living standards.

“We have noted a marked improvement in the nutrition levels of the children on our estates thanks to the efforts of World Vision and we are pleased to partner with them to continue the good work in the area of WASH and hygiene promotion” said Dr Dan Seevaratnam, CEO Watawala Plantations PLC.

The MOU was initiated as a result of the Australian Government funded ‘Rural Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project 2’ (RIWASH 2) implemented by World Vision Lanka in the Nuwara Eliya District. The project aims to provide water supply and sanitation facilities, common bathing places, storm water drainage systems and liquid waste management systems to over 20,000 persons, including over 3000 school children, spread over a number of estates, schools and rural villages in the Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya and Walapane DS Divisions.

“Watawala Plantations have been very supportive of our work and we are delighted to formalise a partnership with them.” said Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Lanka’s National Director.

“A special impact of RIWASH, is not only to ensure sustainable water and sanitation services but the forging of relationships between isolated communities and those responsible for providing services,” he added.

World Vision Lanka will also work in partnership with the Pradeshiya Sabhas and Plantation Management of the respective areas in the implementation of this project, and views this partnership with Watawala Plantations as an incentive to bring in further assistance to improve the living standards of the communities living in this region.

The project will foster intentional partnerships between government, plantation management, and community organisations; build capacity of the respective stakeholders; and especially engage women and other vulnerable community members in program decision-making to promote good governance, address the root causes of conflict, and lay the foundation for peaceful coexistence.

Recent surveys have indicated that the district of Nuwara Eliya, is among the most disadvantaged districts in Sri Lanka with significant levels of poverty and poor health and nutrition statistics. Although home to abundant water sources, its water and sanitation access is the lowest in the country.

World Vision Lanka has a long history of working in the Plantation Sector. Its Ambagamuwa Area Development Programme (ADP) commenced nearly 15 years ago in 1997. The organisation has expanded its programmes to Nuwara Eliya, Bogawantalawa, Pathana and Walapane in recent years.