The Sanitation Task Force (STF) in Sri Lanka has called on politicians and teachers to increase awareness of sanitation in households and communities and emphasize its importance in maintaining public health.

The STF was set up by humanitarian agencies in the water and sanitation sector as forum to discuss new technologies, on-going projects and lessons learned. It made its appeal to increase public awareness at a function to mark the International Year of Sanitation on 15 October 2008.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage, Asoka Peiris, said that sanitation coverage in the country had plummeted after the tsunami, falling from 80% before the disaster to as low as 30% in some of the worst hit districts.

The urban poor often lack even basic facilities, which seriously affects their dignity and standard of living. In addition, a high percentage of schools across the country have inadequate sanitation facilities or none at all. The Secretary said that a coordinated approach is required, improving both facilities and awareness of the importance of using them.

A campaign of promotional activities was also launched in schools, hospitals, health clinics and child development centres on 15 October 2008 to mark Global Handwashing Day. The activities continued in Sri Lanka’s Food Safety Week from 20-26 October.

Related news:

• Sri Lanka: schoolchildren learn the value of safe water and good sanitation, Source South Asia, 02 Sep 2008;
• South Asia: millions of children take part in Global Handwashing Day, Source South Asia, 29 Oct 2008;
• Sri Lanka: many post-tsunami housing schemes lack proper water and sanitation, Source South Asia, 21 Jan 2008

Web sites: International Year of Sanitation; Global Handwashing Day; Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage

Source: Hemanthi Guruge, Daily Mirror, 16 Oct 2008; Global Handwashing Day - Country Updates: Sri Lanka

Tags: emergencies, hygiene promotion, on-site sanitation, school sanitation, south asia, water quality