People’s Health Movement

Sri Lanka

1st Quarter
Journal 2023
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Advisory Committee
Menu Nilukshika
Nishantha Preethiraj
Somaratne Herath

Editors

Indrachapa Ruberu
Indrachapa2ruberu@gmail.com

Minoli De Silva

Nivnka Mohotty

K. Yogeshwari
Contact

Sirimal Peiris
Sirimalp@sltnet.lk
Please note that the ownership/responsibility belongs to the respective authors of each
article.
Your ideas, comments and articles for the future publications are warmly welcomed. Please
write to us, to the following email address, sirimalp@sltnet.lk

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Table of Contents

දුෂිත මහමග ...................................................................................................... 4

ලිංගික හැසිරීමේ පදනම .................................................................................... 6

Cartoon.................................................................................................................10

Lunawa Environment Development Project today ..............................................11

Events DIary .........................................................................................................16

Celebrating International Women ‘Day 2023 .........................................................

Interview of Mr. Sirimal Pieris regarding Health Crisis in Sri Lanka .......................

Regional Assembly and a South Asian PHM meeting in Kathmandu ......................

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oQIs; uyu. lshkafka l=ula o@ uyu. kï lka lrÉp,hls' Bg tfrysj l;d
¥IKh jkafka wehs@ kS;s fuÉpr ;sì,;a lf<d;a j,shla ke;fyd;a wdrdjq,ls' ukao
tfyu jkafka wehs@ yßu yß m%Yak" h;a" fï msßi ldgj;a “mÈß” jkafka ke;'
fuys§;a isÿjkafka Yío ¥IKh hs'
ÿï mÍlaIdj i|yd kS;shla we;" jd¾Islj
ÿï iy;slh w`:;a l< hq;= h' bka mQldY úfYaIfhka nia r:" fldkafÜk¾ wdÈfha
jkafka fmfg%da,shï oykfhka ksl=;a jk ksIamdolhka úiska iúlr tjd we;s k,djg
wmøjH lsisjla jdykhlska jd;hg tl;= wu;r k,d .Kkdjla iúlr f.k we;'
fkdjk nj hs" ta;a mdrg neiai flfkl=g fïjdhska ksl=;a jk y`v b;d by< fvisn,a
fmfkkafka ldf.a;a wdYajdoh msKsi uÜÜgul nj meyeÈ,s w;r l=vd jdyk
we;s ;rug ÿï ouñka Èj hk nia" ld¾" ;%S mdfrka bj;a lr tlu fõ.hla mj;ajd
frdao r:" wdÈhhs' ta;a fï jdyk j,ska f.k hdu msKsi ud¾. kS;s li,g oud tla
lShlg ÿï msg lsÍfï jrog ov lsf,daógrhl ÿrl § mia j;djla" yh
fld< ,efnkjd weoao@ l=vd jdykhla yd j;djla fyda Bg;a jeäfhka k,dj y`vjkq
ii|kúg nia r:hlska fldmuK ÿï msgfõ fmfka' ñka fiiq ßhÿrka mjd wkao ukao fõ'
o@ m%;sM,h kï jdhQ ¥IKh hs' óg úreoaOj lghq;= lrk fmd,sia ks,OdÍka
±lsh yels w;r Tjqkg
a uyck m%Kduh
u.S nia r:hlg ke.=kúg fldmuK Yío
ysñúh hq;= h' fï Yío ¥IKh we;s
¥IKhla isÿ fjkjd o@ jrlg u,a iskÿ
a
lrk ;j;a wdldrhls'
h" ;j;a jfrl wd.ñl jevigyka h"
m%isoaO .dhl .dhsldjka wkqlrKh lrñka t,a' B' ã' j¾.fha n,an iys; ,ïmq uq,sku
a
ljqreka fyda ilia lrk ,o leÜ máhla ;j l, t,s neiafia ld¾ r: yryd h' miqj nr
úfgl h' fï nifhka hk jeä fofkl=f.a jdyk j,;a" Bg;a miqj ;%S frdao r: iy
b,a¨ula ksid isÿjk fohla fkdfõ' fudag¾ nhsisl, j,;a fïjd iú lrkakg
nyq;rhla u.Skf
a .a wfmalaIdj jkafka mgka .kakd ,§' l=mdälu ñY% Wv`.=fjka
ksial,xlfha .uk hdu h' wm; isxÿ fyda fudkjg imsß “jevldr ßheÿrka” lsisu
nhs,d weiSu fkdfõ' ñka .uH jkafka Yío úfgl bÈßfhka tk jdykj, myiqjg
¥IKh hs' t,sh my;a lrkafka (Dip) ke;'
th ;ukag;a jdykhg;a uÈ luls' tfiau
iuyr ;%S frdao r: iy fudag¾ nhsisl,
iuyr fldkafÜk¾ r: j, msgqmig fhduq
j,ska uyd f.dryeä y`vla kef.k
lr iúl< ,dñmq we;' tajdhska .skl
s k
wdldrhg hka;%fha fjkia lï isÿ lr we;'
jegqk úg r:hg msgqmiska hdu fyda biair
túg mojkakdg udr wd;,a h' mÈl u.Skg
a

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lsÍu wmyiq fõ' rd;%s wk;=re fndfyduhlg nÿ f.j;s' fuh jdyk ysñhkag myiqfjka
uq,a jk fya;=jls fï' wu;l jk lreKls' jdyk mojkakka lrk
jerÈ m%udKh wkka; h' úúO
;j;a iuyr u.S nia r: ^fndfyda úg
foaYmd,lhka rlskk
a g fhdod f.k we;s
fïjdg iqr;,a kï o oud we;& iy f,dß
fmd,sisfhka fldgila bj;a lr r:jdyk
r: mdf¾ hk fjila f;drka fuks’'
wxYhg fhoúh hq;= ;rug m%Yakh W.%ù
ta ;rugu mdg mdg n,an j,ska irid"
we;s fihla fmfkkakg ;sfí'
mlsia:dkfha fyda bkaÈhdfõ fuka uQK;
fjkia jk wdldrfha nyq j¾K ks¾udK o tfiau mdr mßyrKh lrkakka o wks;a
lr we;' ,dïmq .Kkdjla m;a;= lrf.k" wh .ek is;sh hq;= h' jrla tla
Wvrg § kï óÿï ,dïmq;a lSmhla oud f.k foaYmd,lfhl=g wêl fõ.fhka ßh meoùu
mdf¾ hk úg bÈßfhka tk jdyk j,g ms<sn|j ov fld<hla §ug f.dia tu
we;af;a foúhka nqÿka f.a msysg muKs' fmd,siaNghdg isÿ jQ fyhshïudrej
ñka .uH jkafka my;a reÑl;ajhhs' fñ uyckhdg u;l we;ehs is;uq' bka woyia
ish,a,g wjir ÿkafka ljq±hs fkdokakd uq;a jkafka rchg ,eìh hq;= noao;a
isÿjkafka wdf,dal ¥IKhla nj kï fkdf.jd .;a jdykhl hk wfhl= ;uka
meyeÈ,s h' kS;shg Wäka isákafkahehs is;k njhs'
fï ;;a;ajh ;sfnk;dla l,a rgg m%.;shla
uyu. § jdhq" Yío fyda wdf,dal ¥IKh
ke;' ta ksid wms kS;shg lSlre jk w;r
we;s lrk m%uqL fya;= ldrlhka lSmhla .ek
ldg fyda wjysr jk mßÈ mdr mßyrKh
by;ska wjOdkh fhduq úk' fïjd
fkdlrkafka kï by; l:d l< j¾.fha
jdyk .ukd.ukh iu.;a mdßßl fi!LHh
¥IK bj;a jkq we;'
iu.;a iDcqju noaO fõ'

uymdr jdyk i|yd muKla fkdfõ'

mÈlhka i|yd o th wjYH fõ' fuu
fomd¾Yajhu ;uka ,nd.kakd fiajhg wkqj
uyd ud¾. kv;a;=jg iDcq fyda jl% jYfhka

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 isßu,a mSßia

,sx.sl yeisÍu iïnkaOj idlÉPd lrkúg wd¾fkda,aâ iy .ei,a hk ufkda

wmg is.auka fm%dhsâ wu;l fkdl< yels úoHd{hka ,sx.sl p¾hdj ú.%ylg ,lal
ufkda úoH{fhls' ,sx.sl p¾hdj yd ta u; lr we;af;a mßK; Ndjhg uq,a ;ekla
mek k.ska .eg¨ fndfyduhla idlÉPd oSfukah' úfYaIfhka jhi;a iu.
lsßug W;aiql jQ ufkdaúoHd{fhla f,i isÿjkq ,nk ldhsl jeãu lskï
is.auka fm%dhsâ ye`oskú
a h yelsh' is.auka wdldrhlska ,sx.sl p¾hdjka yd ne`oS mj;S
fm%dhsâ ,sx.sl wdiajdoh i;=g f.k fok o hkak ufkda úoH{hka ú.%yhg ,la
is;=ï ys isá ,sx.sl l%shdlrlï olajd l< ;j;a wxYhla fjhs'
ú.%yhlg ,la lrkq ,enQfjls'
ks¾kd, .%kÓ
a kaf.a n,mEu ldhsl jeãu
,sx.sl yeisÍu iïnkaOj wjOdkh fhduq yd ,sx.sl p¾hdj w;r uq,sl in`o;djla
lrkq ,enQ ufkdaúoH{hka w;ßka fm%dhsâ olajhs' ks¾kd, .%kÒ
a ka u.ska ksl=;a
úiska ,sx.sl wdiajdofha iajrEmh;a lrkq ,nk fyda¾fudakj, n,meje;au
mßK;sh;a ú.%y lsÍug W;aidy ord we;' ksid ,sx.sl W;af;ackhla we;s ù
<ufhl= wjqreÿ folla jk;=re tu m%;spdrd;aul ,sx.sl p¾hdjka f.dvkef.a
wdiajdoh ,nkq ,nkafka uqLh m%uqLj nj;a" hehs ;j;a udkj úoHd{ u;hla fjhs' óg
wjqreÿ 02 iy 04 w;r;=r ld,fha oS tu u`ola iudk u;hla p¾hdfõoS
wdiajdoh .=oh wdY%s;j ,nk nj;a" wjqreÿ ufkdaúoHd{hka w;ska o bosßm;a ù we;'
04 iy 07 w;r ld,fhaoS <uhd tu ialsk¾ ta w;r uq,a;ekla .kshs'
wdiajdoh ,nkafka ;u ,sx.sl wjhjhka m%fndaOkhkg olajk p¾hdjka
iïnkaOj olajk ie<ls,af,ka nj;a i`oyka wdY%fhka ,sx.sl p¾hdjka f.dvkexfjk
lrkq ,eîh' jhi wjqreÿ 07 isg 11 njg Tyq ;¾l lrhs'
olajd .=ma; wjêh f,i i<lkq ,enQ w;r
,sx.sl p¾hdj uQ,sl jk wNsfm%arKhka
wjreÿ 11 ka miqj jDO ldu wjêh f,i kï
iïnkaOj o we;eï ufkdaúoHd{fhda woyia
lrkq ,eîh' fm%dhsâ úiska ú.%yhg ,la
m%ldY lr we;' ,sx.sl fm%arKh j¾. fldg
lrk ,o wdldrh wkqj ,sx.sl l%shdj,sh
we;af;a l=i.skk
a " msmdih" nysi%djh iy
m%jdyhla f,i ukqIH cSú;fha wdrïNfha
ksko
a wh;a jkakd jq ffki¾.sl fm%arK
mgka hq. .Kkdjlg fnoS wjidkh
lKavdhugh'
olajdu .uka lrkq we;' tfukau fndfyda
udkisl frda. ,sx.sl wjYH;djka w;r fuu fm%arKh YdÍßl jYfhka u W;amdok
mj;sk iïnkaO;dj o Tyq úiska ukd jkakla fjhs' tys tla mfilska
ú.%hlg ,la lrkq ,eîh' mqoa.,Ndjhla u;=fjk w;r j¾.hd iu.

6|Page
mj;skk
a d jQ fmdÿ Ndjhlao fmkakï
q lrhs' úêu;a l%shdlÍ wjêh iu. o nef`oa' ,sx.sl
ffki¾.sl fm%arKh u.ska we;s jkakd jQ wjhjhkaf.a j¾Okh" l%shdlß;ajh muKla
p¾hdj YdÍßl wjYH;djla iemsÍug uq,a fkdj ,sx.sl p¾hdj yeisrùfï nqoaêuh
jqj;a iudchSh n,mEï u.ska yev .eiaùula j¾Okh o ful,ays isÿjk nj fï wkqj
we;s lrkq ,efí' fuu yev.eiaùu fmkS hhs'
iïnkaOj lrk ,o m¾fhaIk wdY%fhka
,sx.sl fm%arKh ffki¾.slj mek ke.Sfuka
fndfyda udkj úoHd{hka úiska woyia
we;s jkakd jQ pd¾hd mßK;sh iïnkaOj o
m%ldY fldg we;'
fndfyda úoHd{fhda woyia m%ldY
kj fhdjqka úhg fmr we;sjkakd fldg ;sfí' ,sx.sl p¾hdfõ mßK;úFï
jQ ,sxf.akaøshkaf.a jeãu 10]-20] w;r iajhx ,sx.sl l%shd u.ska wdrïNj
mj;sk njg woyia bosßm;a j we;' iu ,sx.sl l%shd yryd b;sß ,sx.sl l%shdj,g
úfYaIfhkau oaú;sh ,sx.sl mQ¾K;ajhg mßK; jk njg woyia m%ldY fldg we;'
ukqIHhd m;a jkafka;a kj
;u ,sx.sl bkaøshka yd l%shdldß;ajh u.ska
fhdjqkú
a h ;=<oSh' fuu ld,h ;=<oS m%ckk
m<uqj ,nk wdiajdoh iu,sx.sl l%shd yryd
moaO;sfha l%shdldÍ;ajh;a ,sx.sl ,laIKj,
j¾Okh ù ia;%S mqreI ,sx.sl in`o;d olajd
oaú;sh,laIK my< ùu;a isÿfõ'
j¾Okh ùu idudkHfhka isÿjk njg
.eyekq <uqkf.a mfhdaOrhkaf.a jeãu;a ufkdaúoHd{jhka woyia m%ldY lrhs'
msßñ <uqkf
a .a jDIK fldaIj, jeãu;a
fuu mßK;ùfïoS iajhx iy iu,sx.sl
ful, olakg we;' .eyeKq <uqka
p¾hdjka hïlsis iSñ; ld,hla ;=<
u,ajrùu;a msßñ <uqka ;=< Y=l% fudapkh;a
iajNdúl jqj;a ldhsl j¾Okh iy nqoaê
fuu ld,h ;=< we;s ùfuka ,sx.sl
j¾Okh;a iu. b;sß ,sx.sl p¾hdjka olajd
m%fndaOhla yg .kS' .eyekq <uqka kj
j¾Okh úh hq;= nj Tjqkaf.a woyih'
fhdjqkú
a hg m;aùu jhi wjqreÿ kjh;a
jhig iudkj fuu ,sx.sl p¾hdj j¾Okh
fod<y;a wr; ld,h ;=< idudkH jYfhka
fkdjqfjd;a th ufkda iudchSh .eg¨jla fia
isÿjk w;r" msßñ <uqkf
a .a kj fhdjqk aúhg
Tjqyq ols;s' oS¾> ld,Sk iu,sx.sl Ndjhg
t<öu jhi wjqreÿ fod<y;a oy;=k;a w;r
YdÍßl n,meje;au mdol jk njg o
ld,fhaoS isÿjk nj mejfia' fï wkqj
woyia bosßm;a ù ;sfí'
ne,SfïoS ia;%S ,sx.sl ls%hdldß;ajh
mqreI ,sx.sl l%shdldß;ajhg jvd u`ola fmr ,sx.sl p¾hdjka l%shd;aul ùfïoS tu
isÿjk nj fmfka' p¾hdjka ixialD;sh u.ska fufyhjk njg
woyia udkj úoH{hka úiska bosßm;a fldg
,sx.sl l%shdldß;ajfha fuu ldhslj¾Okh
we;' ;u wdYdjka ;u is;e.s mßos bgq
fm%dhsâf.a jDOldu wjêh yd .e<fmk nj
lr .ekSug ñksid fkdfm<fnkafka fï
uekúka meyeos<s fõ' tfukau mshdfcaf.a

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fyhskh
a ' ,sx.sl p¾hdjka iïnkaOj woyia oKavla f,i Ndú;d lrk hï idudchl hï
m%ldY lrk ud.%Ü óâf.a woyi jQfha mqoa.,hl= újdyhlska f;drj ,sx.sl
ixialD;sh ,sx.sl pd¾hdj fufyhùug in`o;d meje;ajj
q fyd;a Tyqg fyda wehg
uy`.= ld¾hhla bgq lrkq ,nk njh' wksjd¾hfhka iudc o`vqjula Wreu jkq
úfYaIfhkau ,sx.sl pd¾hdj yev .eiaùug we;'
Wm ixialD;ska oeä fufyhla bgq
,sx.sl pd¾hdjka iudcfhka iudchg
lrkq ,nhs'
fjkaijkq ,nkafka tu iudcfhka iudchg
,sx.sl yeisÍu .ek fndfyda lreKq bosßm;a idrO¾uj, mj;skq ,nk fjkialï ksidh'
l< is.auka fm%dhsâf.a woyia wmg fuysoS ldka;djka /lshdjla fkdlrk" ldka;djka
fkdi<ld isáh fkdyel' wmf.a újD; jeäÿr wOHdmkhla fkd,nk" mjqf,a ish¨
wdYdjka lrd f.k hk Yla;sh fm%dhsâ úiska fokdu tlg cSj;a jk"
y`ÿkajd we;af;a bä ixialdrlh jYfhks' mqreIhdf.a ;SrKhka u; mjqf,a ish¨
kuq;a bâ u.ska fufyhjk l%shdldrlï lghq;= isÿjk" ikakf
s õok m%d:ñl wjêfha
fj; wmg idcqj .uka l< fkdyelsh' Bg mj;sk" f;dr;=re ixirKh wju fõ.fhka
ndOdldÍj ke.S iákafka wm cSj;a jk isÿjk iudchlg jvd j¾;udk
iudcfha mj;sk idodpdrh h' fuh iqm¾ iudcfha ,sx.sl p¾hdj fjkiaùu
Bf.da f,i fm%dhsâ y`ÿkajhs' kuq;a ñksid wksjd¾hh'
cSj;aùfïoS bâ u.ska wfmalaIs; p¾hdjka
j¾;udk iudcfha ldka;d iajdëk;ajh
lrd fkdmeñKsh fkdyels w;ru iqm¾
flfrys jfYaI ie<ls,a,la olajkq ,nhs'
Bf.da u.ska b,a¨ï lrkq ,nk p¾hdjka o
ldka;djka o /lshd lsÍfuka wehf.a wd¾Ól
bgq lsÍug fkdyelsh' wmf.a p¾hdjka bgq
jy,aNdjh wfydais ù ;sfí' tfukau ldka;d
jkafka fï folgu w;rueos Bf.daf.a
woHdmkfha m%.;sh ksid wjfndaoh mq`M,a
wfmlaIdj wkqjh' wmf.a ,sx.sl p¾hdj o
fjhs' mqreihka fukau ldka;djka o /lshd
fm%dhsâg wkqj iqm¾ Bf.da u.ska md,kh
fyda woHdmk ld¾hhka i`oyd mjqf,ka msg;
fldg Bf.dag wjYH mßos m%ldYs; fjhs'
cSj;a fjhs' túg jeäysá wKil hgf;a
iudc úoHdjg wkqj hñlsis iduchla iïm%dohkql+, wpdrO¾u u.ska
yiqrejkq ,nkafka tu idudcfha mj;sk fufyhjk ,o cSjk rgdj ,sys,a fjhs'
m%;sudk we.hqï yd idrO¾u u.skh
a ' tu újdy jk jhi oS¾> fjhs' fmï in`o;d
idrO¾u iodld,sl fkdjqj;a hï ld, i`oyd fukau ,sx.sl in`o;d i`oyd
iSudjla ;=< n,mj;aajhs' tneúka tu mej;s ;yxÑ wju fõ' úoHd;aul oekqu
idrO¾uj,ska msg mekakfyd;a wksjd¾hfhka u.sk"a ,sx.sl p¾hdj u.sk"a isÿjk wk;=re
u iudchSh o`vqjulg ,la fjhs' wju lr.; yels fjhs' mjq,a ie<iqï
újdyh ,sx.sl p¾hdjka meje;aùfï ñkqï WmlrK u.ska ,nd.; yels fiajdjkaf.a

8|Page
fiajh ,nd .ekSug yels fjhs' tfukau i<lkq ,nhs' iudchl id¾O¾u iy
fndfydaúg ;uka cSj;a jk Wm m%;sudk f.dvkef.kafka tu iudch ;=<
ixialD;Skf
a .a idrO¾u ;ud w;S;fha cSj;a csj;a jk ckhdf.a mßirhg wkql+,jh' tu
jQ iudcfha idrO¾uj,g jvd fjkila mßirh ;=<ska f.dvkxjd .kq ,nk
fmkakï
q lrhs' idrO¾u o mßirfha fjkia ùu;a iu`.
fjkia fjhs' tf,i isÿjk ixialD;suh
fujeks iudchSh fjkilg iudch
fjki u.ska ñksia p¾hdjka o fjkia fjhs'
n`ÿkaùfïoS wksjd¾hfhkau ,sx.sl p¾hdfõ
tf,i ú.%y lsÍfïoS ,sx.sl pd¾hdj
iajNdjh o fjkia fjhs' th we;eï úg
iudcfhkaiudchg fjkiajk w;r
iudc wmpdrhka f,i fjk;a iudchla
tluiudch ;=< o mßKduhla kef;fyd;a
ÿgqj;a tuiudch th ixialD;sh f,i
fjkiaùfï iajNdjhlg o kElï lshhs'

9|Page
10 | P a g e
Somaratne Herath

Beyond four decades, Lunawa lake (or more

suitably, Lunawa lagoon) was much larger in
extent and teeming with fish. Area people were
seen fishing there for family consumption or for
sales was not a rare sight. The lagoon which
was once a flourishing ecosystem was
known to provide a livelihood for more than
150 fishermen at one time (CCD, 2005;
Quoted by Perera, 2009). Over the years, the
physical area of the lagoon continued to shrink in
size due to human activities, silting etc., until it
reduced to an extent around 20-hectares with its
catchment spreading over an area close to 7
km2. By early 2000s it became almost a
biologically dead lake (UNHabitat). Also, toxic
wastes and untreated wastewater discharged
into the drains from factories (over 300 in
number) got drained throughout the year into
the lagoon. Many of those factories are textile
dyeing units which used to dump their industrial
effluent unhindered into the canals leading to
the Lunawa lake, which spreads within the
municipalities of Mt. Lavinia and Moratuwa.
Illegal encroachments and slum-like housing
conditions were common.
The pristine Lunawa lagoon in Moratuwa -the
only lagoon in the Colombo district- is in danger
of turning into polluted eyesore with private
sector factories as well as railway and bus depots
discharging effluents into it. The biggest culprits
are two government institutions –the railway
workshop and the SLTB depot at Ratmalana
which channel oil waste into the lagoon (Sunday
Times 22.05.2017)
Many areas of Moratuwa Municipality were
getting inundated during rains causing
difficulties. Since early days a network of canals
carrying storm water were emptying into it.
These canals carried polluted water and debris of
various discarded materials which were thrown
into those. A reasonable number of
unauthorized constructions that existed were
also was obstructing the flow of storm water
delaying the drainage.
The situation is compounded particularly around
the Lunawa lagoon. Also, with the increased
land fractionalization over time to accommodate
the increasing number of families contributed to
this problem to a certain extent. Illegal
encroachments and slum-like housing conditions
were common. Lunawa Environment
Development Project was launched to address
this issue because of the damages and
inconveniences due to floods in the municipal
areas increased in intensity. Assessments had
revealed that floods affected around 18,000
households, that existed within the catchment
area. Many of them were squatters.
The objective of the project was to mitigate flood
damage by improving urban drainage and canal
systems, and at the same time improve the living
conditions of project affected households. UN-
Habitat was responsible for implementing the
Community Development Component, through
advisory services to the Urban Settlements
Improvement Project Unit of the Ministry of
Urban Development and Water Supplies and the
Urban Local Authorities (ULAs).

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Under the Project, the plan was to improve 6,200
metres of main storm water drains and 4,580
metres of secondary drains and 76 km of tertiary
Achievements
The Lunawa Environmental Improvement &
Community Development Project (2003-10), has
been the first ‘test’ of Sri Lanka’s National
Involuntary Resettlement Policy that in
cooperated an innovative, pro-poor model for
infrastructure projects in the developing world,
especially relevant for the involuntary
resettlement of people from densely populated
urban areas.
The technical part of the project focused on
mitigating frequent floods in the area by
improving drainage and the canal systems of the
Lunawa lake catchment area. One aspect of the
project was the improvements made in the living
conditions of the 18,000 households in the
catchment area. This was a multi-modal
partnership among relevant government
agencies, NGOs, international donors (JAICA was
a major donor), municipalities and technical staff
from the UN Habitat.
Obtaining the agreement of this diverse
population of low-income slum and shanty
dwellers as well as lower and upper middle class
households for the urban renewal project had
posed challenges. Only after numerous
community awareness programmes, these
people agreed to vacate the area and accept the
proposed packages for resettling and upgrading
packages proposed by the project in order to
revive the Lunawa lake’s eco system. Community
Development Committees were created and
were closely involved in planning the project.
Of the 18,000 families affected, 883 were
entitled for resettlement facilities. Most
voluntarily agreed to either be relocated to other
areas, or took a cash payment in lieu of their
surrendered lands, or agreed to move into
project-sponsored housing at the same site.
Of the 880 willing participants, 88 households
chose to re-settle in four resettlement sites
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drains for waste water drainage and sewage
disposal (UNHabitat)
prepared by the project complete with all basic
infrastructures such as access roads, water
supply, electricity and sewerage facilities were
provided. Likewise, 196 households chose to
settle elsewhere, using the resettlement
package offered by the project; and 566
households chose to remain at the original site
after their plots were ‘regularized’. However,
there had been three households objected to the
terms of the resettlement package.
The resettlement options gave project-affected
families, many for the first time, security of
tenure. They now live in their own homes in the
resettlement sites, with women as joint owners
of property.
Project authorities acquired 25 acres of private
lands (2000 land parcels) for catchment
protection and canal and road works. New storm
water drains and canals were rehabilitated and
new ones built. Housing, amenities and solid
waste disposal management systems were
constructed as part of the urban renewal
project.
The project was also designed to create and
strengthen abilities of community members to
build drains, service roads and community
centres within the resettlement sites and other
parts of the project area. Affected people were
also involved in working out their entitlement
package, while a layered grievance redress
mechanism increased transparency in all project
transactions.
Area developed under the project today
It should be appreciated that the problems that
the residents had to undergo due to flooding
during heavy rains are no more now. However,
irresponsible human activity has generated a
number of problems.
More than 10 years have passed after the
completion of the project (2003 – 2010) it is
observable that a thick layer of silt has formed in
most of the canals with sand bedded bottoms
that feed Lunawa lagoon. In effect, a deposit of
silt occurs in the lagoon also reducing its capacity
to hold water. As such, desilting is a must before
the matter worsens further.
Floating plastic and polythene waste that end up
in canal and drains enters the lagoon. Depending
on the direction of wind these get collected in
some areas. Also a scum gets formed and
emanates an unbearable obnoxious smell during
the drought season inconveniencing people who
live at very close proximity to the banks.
Sometimes municipal workers are seen
removing this floating stuff but the frequency of
such removal remain a question.
Many of the roads laid round the lagoon to be
used as walking paths are overgrown with rank
vegetation to an extent that these rods are no
more useable. In some places growth is so thick
making the roads impassable or reducing some
areas to foot paths. In some places, there are
Waste floating in a canal
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sizeable potholes caused due to erosion and
settling of the soil underneath.
Gabion walls constructed under the project to
keep the banks in place have collapsed in some
places, upsetting the purpose for which they
were built.
Random discarding of household waste and
sometimes industrial waste as well, both dry and
wet by people from elsewhere causes a lot of
difficulties to the householders on either side of
these roads. Empty glass bottles from houses
and discarded pieces of glass sheets from picture
framing shops, construction or renovation sites
etc, poses a danger to the pedestrians. Wet
waste that includes rotting bones, offal etc,
make room for fly breeding. Water collected in
discarded bottles and earthenware offer
breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Before the project, this hassle was not there but
after acquiring their lands for laying the roads
and widening the canals, an unwanted problem
as arrived at the doorsteps. The attention paid
for garbage collection on these roads is seem to
be scant and not regular enough.
Invasive aquatic plants
 Pathway blocked due to rank
vegetation
Waste collecting on the road
Any solutions?
This is a project that had been implemented
in good faith but it is doubtful whether all
the objectives are achieved.
In their study Piyadasa, Jayathunge and
Kumari (2017) have noted that only 04
species of fish are found at present out of 24
species that existed. Emanating stench,
extinction of mangrove populations,
decrease in the populations of migrant birds,
It is obvious that attention of the local body
is inadequate. At least once in a quarter all
pathways need be cleaned thoroughly and
invasive aquatic plants that grow in the
canals removed.
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Scum and debris floating in a canal
spread of pathogenic organisms, spread of
aquatic plants, unsuitability for recreational
water sports, damaging the tourism
industry, pollution of groundwater, and
weaknesses in maintenance are other
problems spotted in the above study. As
such, it is apparent the objective of
renovating this body of water and bringing
back to life has not achieved at least to a
certain degree even after 12 years of its
completion in 2010
On the other hand, holding local bodies and
health authorities alone responsible for
maintaining the system is inadequate
because there is a role for people as well.
Herein, there has to be programmes to raise
awareness of the people to enhance their
commitment for proper disposal of refuse.
These awareness programmes can be held in
public places such as schools, clinics etc. It
should be appreciated that Moratuwa
Municipal Council distributed a pamphlet
seeking support of the people for waste
disposal activities. This is a positive step that
should have furthered into a poster
campaign or a similar media campaign.
Some householders seem to be mindful
about their role but the majority are
careless. Some of the latter group are
emptying their waste bins directly into the
canal. Trade establishments such as
restaurants, tea kiosks shops etc., hand over
their refuse to individuals to dump their
refuse at proper places and charge those
places for their services. These collectors
have push carts used for transporting
various items like fish, fruits or vegetables
for roadside sellers and on their return, they
collect refuse from various places. However,
they empty the loads collected in push carts
carelessly in places inconveniencing
householders in the surrounds. These
individuals deserve punishment for the harm
they cause. Also, local bodies may consider
registration of these carters.
The local bodies can identify clusters of
households and demarcate places to dump
their refuse which enables convenient
removal of refuse. Moreover, the attention
of the members of local bodies also should
be there to seek participation of their voters
to achieve the objectives of the project.
 Research Conference in THE ROYAL
ASIATIC SOCIETY OF SRI LANKA,
Colombo; 2017
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Otherwise, there will have to be another
project to clean the lagoon and waterways.
References:
 Perera, P.V. Ishastha Prasith: The Effect of
Dredging on the Water Quality and Fish
and Crustacean Composition of the
Lunawa Lagoon by Thesis submitted to
the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
for the award of the Degree of Master of
Science in Fisheries and Aquatic
Resource Management on May 2009.
 https://unhabitat.lk/projects/past-
projects/lunawa-lake-environment-
community-development/
(02.03.2023)
 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170521
/news/lunawa-lagoon-an-
environmental-nightmare-
240832.htm l(02.03.2023
 Jayathunga, J.N.D., Kumari, G., &
Piyadasa, R. (2017). Analyze the
spatial and temporal water quality
variation in Lunawa Lagoon. 3rd
International Conference of the
Faculty of Humanities and Social
Science, University of Ruhuna.
Analyze the Spatial and Temporal
Water quality variation in Lunawa
Lagoon
 Piyadasa, Ranjana U K; Jayatgunge,
J N D; and Kumari G R A G:
Environmental issues around the
Lunawa Lagoon and Its Impacts to
the people, 10th Annual
People's Health Movement in Sri Lanka have organized a protest demanding right to health
with regards to International Women's Day Celebration 2023.

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This protest mainly focused under the theme of 'women victimised by prevailing
economic crisis'. Voices raised about the pressing issues such as unbearable utility
expenditures, shortage of medicines and all sort of difficulties affect women while the
gender based inequalities in wages, opportunities and violence still exist.

Interview of Mr. Sirimal Pieris regarding Health Crisis in Sri Lanka in Peoples Dispatch

Link here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjSkBW_vUz8

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Regional Assembly and a South Asian PHM meeting in Kathmandu

A global network of health activists, organised to combat inequities in health via revitalisation
of the Alma Ata declaration.

PHA5 is build around 05 themes

1. Towards transformation of Health Systems
2. Gender Justice & Health

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 3. Ecosystem Health: Food, Energy, Climate
4. Strengthening resistance against forced migration, occupation & war
5. Knowledge, practices and ancestral and popular struggles

Thematic discussions : to strategies and plan actions within the regions

1. Health systems, against privatalization, defence of public systems, etc

2. Food and nutrition and food sovereignty
3. Trade and Health + Access to medicines
4. Gender and Health
5. Environment, Extractive industries and Development

People’s Health Tribunal (PHT) was launched during the PHA5. The PHT aims to expose the
role that giant corporations play in creating ill-health by erecting barriers to decent health
care.

Members of PHM Sri Lanka joined virtually through zoom.

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