COUNTRY REPORT SRI LANKA

Transcription

1 SOUTH ASIA CONFERENCE ON SANITATION SACOSAN IV 2011 COUNTRY REPORT SRI LANKA Colombo, Sri Lanka April

2 SOUTH ASIA CONFERENCE ON SANITATION SACOSAN IV COUNTRY REPORT SRI LANKA Abstract: This report provides an overview of the present status of sanitation in Sri Lanka. The country is committed to achieve a sanitation coverage target of 84.5% by the year 2015 under Millennium Development Goals. The base year coverage was only 69% and the coverage has improved by 16.7% by year The country has been able to provide improved sanitation facilities for an additional population of 5.83 million from the base year. The performance related to the five milestones set under the Road Map prepared during SACOSAN III is found to be satisfactory. Sri Lanka is on track to achieve the year 2015 MDG target. However, achieving the target of universal coverage by year 2025 is a challenge. The sector authorities will pay more attention and develop innovative strategies to solve a few more critical issues, in order to attend to some of the gaps and issues that exist in the sector. BACKGROUND - Country Profile Sri Lanka is a very old civilization with a recorded history dating back to 2500 BC. The country was under the rule of Western powers from 1505 and regained independence in The country has a tropical climate with temperatures that remain between 60 0 F and 90 0 F throughout the year. Sri Lanka has an estimated total population of around 19.8 million (2006) with a gender ratio of 49:51 male /female. Population growth rate in 2007 was estimated to be 1.1%. Average life expectancy at birth is 73 years and the literacy rate of 95% was recorded in The safe water coverage stands at 81% as at end of year In Sri Lanka, a wider meaning has been given to sanitation to encompass hygiene education. The combined effect of sound hygiene behavior, adequate sanitation and safe water will complement the government s overall objectives to improve the people s health,

3 alleviate poverty and maximize the people s contribution to socio- economic development. While the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) and Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Division (RWSSD) under the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage, have the national responsibility for providing drinking water and technical support for sanitation in the country; the Ministry of Health (MoH) and many other INGOs & NGOs also support the Government in providing these services. Under decentralized administration and devolution of power to its Provinces, water supply, community sanitation and hygiene promotion are regarded as key utility services to be provided at local level by the local authorities with the support of Provincial Health Ministries. B. PERFORMANCE related to the Road Map from SACOSAN III, Delhi Sri Lanka is committed to achieve safe sanitation coverage of 84.5 % by year 2015 and 100% by year 2025 under MDG targets. In order to achieve these targets, the Road Map identified five groups of milestones for action. Sri Lanka s performance on each of them has been as follows; a. Country commitment -- Satisfactory The need for achieving the MDG sanitation goals are highlighted in development programmes for the country such as the Mahinda Chinthana, and are continuously monitored. b. Enabling policies -- Satisfactory Draft policy on sanitation is ready for the submission to the Cabinet of Ministers. The public was consulted during the policy formulation and their opinions have been incorporated. Under this policy, hygiene behavior change is to be incorporated in every sanitation program, while bottom up/ participatory approaches are encouraged. It also promotes conservation of the environment as a primary objective and facilities are to be managed and operated at the lowest appropriate level. Transport of excreta with human labour (scavenging) is no more a practice in the country. c. Effective & accountable institutions -- Satisfactory Tasks have been assigned to specific institutions in keeping with their national responsibilities. Coordination mechanisms are in place both at national and decentralized levels. Capability and capacity is available at local level, in general, and

4 is supported by specialized institutions when needed by agencies such as the NWSDB and MoH. d. Financing -- Satisfactory A balanced approach has been in place over the last decade between hardware development and software support. Annual provisions are made in the national budget for sanitation improvements. Subsidies are available for those who cannot afford. e. Monitoring & sustaining change -- Satisfactory In addition to the increase in access to sanitation services, qualitative improvements are evident from health indicators monitored by the MoH. The indicators proposed by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme have been discussed and agreed amongst the three agencies concerned, the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and the Ministry of Health and the Department of Census & Statistics and future monitoring will be through household surveys providing user based information. Additionally, collaborative mechanisms supported by external entities such as UNICEF and WSSCC are in place. C. OVERALL ASSESSMENT General: Successive governments since independence laid heavy emphasis on sanitation aspects. Sri Lanka has a distinct advantage in taking the messages of sanitation and hygiene education to the beneficiaries, in view of the high literacy rate of the population which stood at 95% in It is noted that people become conscious of better sanitation and hygiene practices as the social standing is elevated with high Toilet has become an essential element in housing construction literacy. The concerned agencies including Health Authorities, Local Authorities (LAs), NWSDB, RWSSD as well as INGOs, and NGOs have taken advantage of the receptivity of the people to impart the messages of sanitation and hygiene education.

5 Out of the common water borne diseases, diarrhoea and shigellosis have a severe effect particularly on rural population and urban poor. However, there had been a remarkable improvement during the past decades amidst outbreaks experienced during 1990s. Involvement of Ministry of Health: The Ministry of Health has a strong Public Health Division which consistently takes the sanitation messages to the public through the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs). This division continuously monitors the progress of sanitation services through provincial, district and divisional level staff. Any incidence of epidemics due to poor sanitary conditions is promptly reported to the epidemiological unit. Comparatively high literacy rate, has been an added advantage in disseminating and repeating correct health messages throughout the society especially highlighting the beneficial social value and health impact of proper sanitation facilities and practice. Sanitation messages primarily cover proper use of toilets, hand washing and preventing environmental pollution. Sanitation messages are supplemented by hygiene promotion/education programmes undertaken by concerned agencies. In emergency situations, very heavy emphasis is placed in providing sanitation facilities and water, backed by the critical health messages. Special training is provided by the Ministry of Health to Family Health Workers and PHIs who act as the prime agents to change health practices within family circles. Legal Provisions: There are a number of Acts in place since several decades back, within the purview of local authorities emphasizing the requirement for a proper toilet when constructing a new housing unit, inclusive of many other provisions to protect the environment. Key institutions such as the NWSDB, the Environmental Authority etc, have been established under special Acts and vested with specific responsibilities in relation to safe water, sanitation and environmental health, for the country. Institutions such as the RWSSD has been established to ensure such services to the rural population. Manuals and Guidelines: Environmental and health requirements of a sanitary toilet is embodied in the Public Health Inspectors Manual of Operations provided by the Ministry of Health. The Manual provided to the PHI s describes different options for basic household toilets, applicable under different local conditions. Extensive adoption of these requirements has made society much aware of the needs. As of today, masons even in remote villages have knowledge of the requirements for constructing a basic toilet for a household. In more complex situations which require more expertise in selecting options, NWSDB and Local Authorities provide technical advice. Sanitation Options: Off- site sanitation (ie pipe- borne sewerage) is adopted only in very densely populated areas in Colombo City and housing complexes such as high rise apartments. These are minimal in Sri Lanka. Urban sewerage is attended to by NWSDB and

6 for housing complexes by the builders, following technical requirements and procedures laid down by government. Most of the urban sewerage schemes are operated by NWSDB in order to ensure environmental safety. Most common type of toilet for poor The option for most of Sri Lanka at present is on- site sanitation. Many options have been developed by the authorities in respect of on- site sanitation, in order for the people to select depending on their affordability and environmental situation. The most popular type is off pit water sealed latrines with single or double pits. A certain percentage of the population is using pit latrines and there is a great demand from the users to convert these types of toilets to water sealed units. Special Focus: There have been many programmes launched by the Government to provide those in need but who could not afford, with direct assistance. Those who can afford are encouraged to finance their own toilet requirements. This has led to more effective programmes with limited financial resources. Special attention is now been given to resolve the sanitation issues of backward communities in fishing villages and the estate sector. NGOs have been encouraged to provide assistance in implementing sanitation programmes in remote or less accessible areas, where social marketing is also a requisite for sustainability and health and economic benefits to be derived. Best Practices: A successful approach for development of on - site sanitation adopted in Sri Lanka was carried out under a special sanitation & hygiene promotion programme undertaken under the 3 rd Water Supply & Sanitation Sector Project implemented by NWSDB a few years ago with ADB financial assistance. The Community Water Supply & Sanitation Project (CWSSP) under World Bank funding also introduced an innovative approach to expose the beneficiary to the value of consuming safe drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene practices through a Community Facilitator (CF) who in effect was a Change Agent. He/she lives with the beneficiary community for over 3 months and changes the traditional mindset of people and prepares them to accept a higher standard of living. The behavioral change that came with these interventions made a remarkable impact on the general thinking of the community. The health benefits accrued to the community through this process has been substantial. The incidence of diseases like dysentery and diarrhea have had appreciable reductions with concomitant reduction in lost labour days and increases in family productivity and income. Since Sri Lanka offers free medical services, such successes reduce social costs and bring about economic benefits.

7 Another model worth replication was new approach for total sanitation in rural villages. It was introduced by World Bank funded 2 nd CWSSP, and supported through a revolving Loan fund and was termed the Sanitation Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) in Sri Lanka. It helped wean people away from dependency on a subsidy culture and also ensured 100% sanitation coverage in the village. Under this approach, financial support was provided through a credit facility. Seed money was provided to the community based organization appropriately prepared for the purpose from which they provided loans to prospective beneficiaries. The recipients were adequately educated on the terms and conditions of the loan and the implications of tardiness in loan repayment on the other prospective beneficiaries on line. The accumulated capital and interest were revolved until all the beneficiaries who had no access to sanitation facilities were served over a period of time. After the full recovery of the seed capital, the proceeds remained with the community organization to be adopted for a micro credit programme for the benefit of the community. Out of a total of latrines constructed through the courtesy of the government, 50,000 toilets were to be constructed under the SRLF. As a demonstration effect, additional 9500 toilets were constructed by the beneficiary community without any assistance from any external agency. D. STATISTIACAL ASSESSMENT The reference to definitions herein relate to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) definitions, proposed for monitoring the progress on achievement of the MDGs. Reference Status 01 Has the country adopted the definitions for reporting? YES 02 Have they been adopted in this report? YES 03 a) The number of persons without access to improved sanitation at the base year adopted by Sri Lanka b)as a percentage of the total population 04 a) The number of persons without access to improved sanitation at SACOSAN III (2008) b) As a percentage of the total population 05 a)the number of persons without access to improved sanitation in 2010 b)as a percentage of the total population 5.33mln 31% 3.22mln 16.1% 2.95 mln 14.3%

8 06 a) The additional population from the base year having sanitation b)increase in coverage as a percentage of population 5.83mln 16.7% E. GAPS & ISSUES Accuracy of Data: Data collection has not been consistent in some areas where social unrest prevailed until year But there is a clear overall trend of improved sanitation facilities in the country. Nevertheless, the position with regard to sanitation facilities in remote villages and plantation areas has not been adequate and are below the country average. However, present coverage figures are to be reconfirmed through a comprehensive assessment as an immediate requirement. School Sanitation: The education and health of the younger generation is of critical importance. Furthermore schools provide a platform for children who will be the most effective educators of the elders on the need and benefits of good sanitation and hygiene, to bring about a generational transformation in behavior and public health. However, facilities for school sanitation have been inadequate in planning, in numbers, and in care and maintenance arrangements. This shortcoming needs to be addressed as a very urgent need, in the first instance to make schools child- friendly and reduce school drop- outs, particularly girl children. Sustainable Sanitation for Urban Areas: Urban poor and slum dwellers in under- served areas as in many of the urban centers in the world are a part of the urban economy and yet also part of the social cost. Clearly they beg for a total solution. In Colombo, many of the slum dwellers have been provided an intermediate land tenure solution. This has cleared an administrative path to provide them with legal water connections. The land tenure arrangement provides them with the motivation to install a proper toilet and also keep their premises clean. Programmes have to be devised to help them have toilets and exercise hygienic habits. Public toilets are inadequate in numbers and where they exist, in care and maintenance. In addition to this, proper septage treatment facilities need to be promoted for urban cities in order to dispose the sludge removed from the septic tanks safely. Areas Requiring Special Attention: For many reasons, sanitation has not received the desired priority and action uniformly throughout the country. Rural poor in Sri Lanka is mostly in the Moneragala district in the South and in part of the Plantation Sector. They need more attention and need to be addressed through specific Programmes. The others who require priority attention are those who are occupied in settling back after the war, in

9 the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and the fishing communities in the coastal belt. The government is involved in new programmes to deal with these populations under special dispensations. Addressing Cultural Needs: Culturally, washing after ablution is an essential need for Sri Lankans. Therefore, every toilet programme needs to be linked even more with a proper water supply system as a compulsory requirement. Ecosan dry compost latrines have been piloted, approved and demonstrated as a new technical option for high water table, or water stress areas. Progress has been slow much due to education and time required for some to accept the new concepts, partly of a cultural nature.. But their usefulness is gradually being understood and appreciated. More research on developing user friendly facilities and promotional activities highlighting benefits in harvesting urine as manure for agricultural purposes need to be undertaken. Enabling Policies: Well conceived policies play a major role in achieving planned results of projects and programmes to provide sanitation services. Up to last year, the Policy for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation approved in 2001 addressed the needs of sanitation in the rural sector. As of today, the draft version of a comprehensive Sanitation Policy is ready to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers covering both rural and urban sanitation. So, the challenge now will be to apply this policy appropriately in meeting the agreed MDG milestones. F. REFERENCE ORGANISATION Water Supply & Drainage Board, Galle Road, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka Person to contact - K. L. L. Premanath, General Manager