National Policy for Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Sector 2001.

This National Policy for Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Sector is a nationwide sectoral policy. The Government of Sri Lanka acknowledges the importance of health and well being of its people for social and economic development and sets a goal of providing access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation to all citizens by the year 2010.
The Policy requires that all sector activities should be in harmony with the environment. Basic Sanitation should ensure protection to both surface and ground water from pollution and the users from water borne diseases and other health hazards.
Water and sanitation are basic human needs for sustaining life. Access to Basic Level of Water Supply is a prerequisite for poverty eradication. The Policy established the minimum requirements needed to ensure health and the levels of water supply services, including: The minimum requirement of water for direct consumption, preparation of food and personnel hygiene is considered to be 40 liters per person per day; The quality of water supplied, as a basic service should conform to the currently accepted minimum standards with respect to health related microbiological and chemical contaminants. Principles of the Policy include: (i) Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource essential to sustain life and ecosystems. (ii) Water is a basic human need which warrants for equitable allocation. (iii) Water has an economic value and should therefore be recognized as an economic good. (iv) Provision of Water Supply and Sanitation services should be people centered and demand driven. (v) Provision of Water Supply and Sanitation together with hygiene education should be considered as integral components in all sector projects/ programmes. (vi) Women should play a central role in decision making process of the sector. (vii) Sector activities should be based on participatory approach involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels, and users should be encouraged to own and manage the facilities and assets. Water and Sanitation being closely related to the community life requires the participation of the communities at all stages of development and management. Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are groups formed or rural community organization capable for the provision and sustainable management of water supply and sanitation facilities to their membership. The CBOs involved in the sector activities may be registered as a, Trust, Development Society, NGO or as a Company under the Companies Act. They will be recognized as authorized institutions to take part in the development of the sector. Their authority includes raising funds, obtaining loans, receiving grants, developing services, levying tariffs and management of facilities. The CBOs will be accountable to the beneficiary community.
In terms of governance, the Policy recognizes the value of water, and the need for institutional arrangement for the efficient management of facilities with community participation and the stakeholders. The Policy stipulates that the roles of the Government, Provincial Council and the Local Government Authorities should be to regulate and facilitate in the implementation of the sector activities while the Community Based Organization (CBOs), Private Sector and NGOs should be the providers of services.